AUSTRALIA – An Australian TV presenter criticized for on-air remarks he made about Sydney’s Mardi Gras festival has made a public apology.
Ron Wilson, a presenter for Channel Ten, was interviewing Mardi Gras festival co-chair Peter Urmson, when he asked him, “On the night some of the spectacles you’re seeing, I’m assuming, would even make you cringe. It becomes an exploitation almost of a sexual image rather than trying to explore the diversity of lifestyle.”
Somewhat taken aback, Urmson interrupted Wilson saying the parade was colorful.
Not deterred Wilson continued, “With respect, there’s a difference between colorful and disgusting and in some cases [some people] really do seem to cross the line.”
Later Wilson said, “There’s acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle. Why not let time take care of the gay marriage issue rather than pushing it?”
To that statement Urmson replied, “Because if we don’t push for it, no one’s going to.”
Following complaints, Wilson issued this apology on the next day’s broadcast.
“As a journalist, my job is to present an issue from different perspectives. But there is no question I could have chosen my words better. If anyone took offence at anything I said during the interview I apologize,” he said.
“I fully support the gay community and its campaign to promote the issue of gay marriage,” he continued, “and I do congratulate the gay and lesbian community on the success of this year’s event. Please take that with sincerity.”
It was reported that Urmson had accepted the apology but Australian gay rights campaigner Gary Burns has said he will lodge a complaint against Wilson at the New South Wales Anti-Discrimination Board.
“The Mardi Gras may not be everyone’s cup of tea but surely diversity on a night like this is acceptable,” Burns said.
