Doug PollardParade of Tennis Open Champions
Sporting bodies often kick off the final phase of their tournaments with a parade of champions: men and women whose contribution they wish to honour.
The Rainbow Flags Over Margaret Court Arena campaign barely existed a fortnight ago, yet such has been the strength of support that we go into the final weekend of the Australian Open with a still-growing membership and many high-profile endorsements.
So we honour OUR champions today: champions of diversity, inclusion, acceptance, celebration and love for the wonderful variety of humankind, whose contributions to the campaign have helped us make such an impact.
Chris Tanti CEO Headspace
“She is only a great tennis player, which doesn’t excuse her from using and abusing that position in a sports mad culture like our own to do more harm to a young population that is arguably the most at risk in our community. Rainbow flags at Margaret Court Stadium – drape the whole tennis centre I say.”
Carl Katter, brother of big hat Bob
“To re-enforce my opinion of how truly disconnected from reality she is, Margaret Court claimed a couple of days ago she has been ‘the target of a hate campaign’. If this wasn't such a bizarre statement it would be hilarious. Australia does not need to give this person any more exposure she is a disgrace to Australian tennis and the country.”
Shelly Argent, PFLAG national spokesperson
"First of all, our lesbian daughters and gay sons are not sick. To be homosexual is a natural sexual orientation.
“I would also like to give the message to Margaret Court that love between two people cannot be an abomination. I think couples should be allowed to marry who they love."
Martin Foley MP
“I call upon all those many Tennis fans, Tennis Australia and the Australian Open to take a stand for diversity, tolerance and an inclusive sporting culture. Don’t just take the view that these are the harmless comments of some old out of touch champion.
Kerry Greenwood, author of the Phryne Fisher books
"I have no idea about the tennis, but my best friend is gay and deserves equal rights".
Sandy & Tessa Winton – ex-Neighbours
Good luck with the campaign! Please exercise mine and my wife's free speech on our behalf! Love and tolerance to all.
Bob Morley, Neighbours
"A person is defined by their morals and values, not by their sexuality. I feel that there is no place for such prejudice in today's society."
Ricki-Lee Coulter, singer
"As someone who is lucky enough to everyday be surrounded by and supported in my career by gay men and women - I find this disgusting and ignorant."
Clem Newton-Brown MP
“Margaret Court made some pretty abhorrent statements last week. I support those who wish to show their support for the GLBTI community by non disruptive display of their rainbow colours at the Australian Open”
Anton Enus SBS Newsreader
“Sitting in the crowd at Margaret Court Arena waving a huge rainbow flag… was a simple gesture but hugely significant for me personally. This is my community. When faced with narrow-mindedness, there’s a clear choice: fairness and dignity or bigotry. We’re on the side of the angels on this one.”
Christos Tsiolkas, author of The Slap
"[Margaret Court’s] comments would also be hurting and confusing many young people, especially sportspeople, who want to look up to her as a source of inspiration and pride. That's a mean-spirited betrayal.”
Paul Martin, ex-ex-gay psychologist
"The people involved with these [pentecostal reparative therapy] groups don't actually mean harm - they are lovely individuals, I'm sure. However, they are genuinely ignorant and driven by personal belief that is not in tune with reality."
Laura Robson, up & coming tennis star
Wore a rainbow scrunchie on court, said, “‘I wore it because I believe in equal rights for everyone,.”
Martina Navratilova, lesbian tennis legend
"I have spoken to [Margaret Court] years ago but she was all about Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. She repeated that four or five times so I just felt I couldn't get through to her."
Pastor Mike Hercock, 100 Revs
“The trauma caused to young people who believe the message that Margaret is perpetuating in our Churches is serious, dangerous and irresponsible.”
Sen Sarah Hanson-Young, Sen Richard Di Natale, Adam Bandt MP
“Margaret Court was a tennis champion who deserves the accolades she has received for her contribution to her sport, however her suggestion that sexuality is something that can be ‘overcome’ is wrong and dangerous.”
Lyn MacClaren WA Green MLC
“Aside from rejecting Ms Court’s views on homosexuality I find it distasteful that her sporting achievements apparently enable her to splash extremist views over the front page of a daily newspaper.”
Mike Stutchberry
Posted a hilarious blog
Marieke Hardy
Posted an even funnier one
Rod Laver
``Each to their own . . . that would be all I can really say about it.''
Many gay community leaders have also spoken out in support here Really Long Link Including former evangelical pastor Anthony Venn-Brown, Australia Marriage Equality leader Alex Greenwich, LGBTI Health Alliance general manager Warren Talbot, and Scott Williams, co-founder of LGBTIQ youth advocacy and support group Wear it Purple.
Last but not least, thanks to everyone who is carrying a rainbow flag, ribbon, hat, badge, umbrella at the Open. You are passionate about equality, passionate about tennis, determined to make your point but without creating disharmony and disruption.
As we fly our colours through this final weekend, please think about what you want to happen next year. We have 12 months in which to plan, organise and fundraise. In Chris Tanti's words, let's drape the whole tennis centre in rainbows, in 2013!!
The Rainbow Flags Over Margaret Court Arena campaign barely existed a fortnight ago, yet such has been the strength of support that we go into the final weekend of the Australian Open with a still-growing membership and many high-profile endorsements.
So we honour OUR champions today: champions of diversity, inclusion, acceptance, celebration and love for the wonderful variety of humankind, whose contributions to the campaign have helped us make such an impact.
Chris Tanti CEO Headspace
“She is only a great tennis player, which doesn’t excuse her from using and abusing that position in a sports mad culture like our own to do more harm to a young population that is arguably the most at risk in our community. Rainbow flags at Margaret Court Stadium – drape the whole tennis centre I say.”
Carl Katter, brother of big hat Bob
Carl Katter with Rainbow Reporter & RFOMCA spokesperson Doug Pollard
Shelly Argent, PFLAG national spokesperson
"First of all, our lesbian daughters and gay sons are not sick. To be homosexual is a natural sexual orientation.
“I would also like to give the message to Margaret Court that love between two people cannot be an abomination. I think couples should be allowed to marry who they love."
Martin Foley MP
“I call upon all those many Tennis fans, Tennis Australia and the Australian Open to take a stand for diversity, tolerance and an inclusive sporting culture. Don’t just take the view that these are the harmless comments of some old out of touch champion.
Kerry Greenwood, author of the Phryne Fisher books
"I have no idea about the tennis, but my best friend is gay and deserves equal rights".
Sandy & Tessa Winton – ex-Neighbours
Good luck with the campaign! Please exercise mine and my wife's free speech on our behalf! Love and tolerance to all.
Bob Morley, Neighbours
"A person is defined by their morals and values, not by their sexuality. I feel that there is no place for such prejudice in today's society."
Ricki-Lee Coulter, singer
"As someone who is lucky enough to everyday be surrounded by and supported in my career by gay men and women - I find this disgusting and ignorant."
Clem Newton-Brown MP
“Margaret Court made some pretty abhorrent statements last week. I support those who wish to show their support for the GLBTI community by non disruptive display of their rainbow colours at the Australian Open”
Anton Enus SBS Newsreader
“Sitting in the crowd at Margaret Court Arena waving a huge rainbow flag… was a simple gesture but hugely significant for me personally. This is my community. When faced with narrow-mindedness, there’s a clear choice: fairness and dignity or bigotry. We’re on the side of the angels on this one.”
Christos Tsiolkas, author of The Slap
"[Margaret Court’s] comments would also be hurting and confusing many young people, especially sportspeople, who want to look up to her as a source of inspiration and pride. That's a mean-spirited betrayal.”
Paul Martin, ex-ex-gay psychologist
"The people involved with these [pentecostal reparative therapy] groups don't actually mean harm - they are lovely individuals, I'm sure. However, they are genuinely ignorant and driven by personal belief that is not in tune with reality."
Laura Robson, up & coming tennis star
Wore a rainbow scrunchie on court, said, “‘I wore it because I believe in equal rights for everyone,.”
Martina Navratilova, lesbian tennis legend
"I have spoken to [Margaret Court] years ago but she was all about Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. She repeated that four or five times so I just felt I couldn't get through to her."
Pastor Mike Hercock, 100 Revs
“The trauma caused to young people who believe the message that Margaret is perpetuating in our Churches is serious, dangerous and irresponsible.”
Sen Sarah Hanson-Young, Sen Richard Di Natale, Adam Bandt MP
“Margaret Court was a tennis champion who deserves the accolades she has received for her contribution to her sport, however her suggestion that sexuality is something that can be ‘overcome’ is wrong and dangerous.”
Lyn MacClaren WA Green MLC
“Aside from rejecting Ms Court’s views on homosexuality I find it distasteful that her sporting achievements apparently enable her to splash extremist views over the front page of a daily newspaper.”
Mike Stutchberry
Posted a hilarious blog
Marieke Hardy
Posted an even funnier one
Rod Laver
``Each to their own . . . that would be all I can really say about it.''
Many gay community leaders have also spoken out in support here Really Long Link Including former evangelical pastor Anthony Venn-Brown, Australia Marriage Equality leader Alex Greenwich, LGBTI Health Alliance general manager Warren Talbot, and Scott Williams, co-founder of LGBTIQ youth advocacy and support group Wear it Purple.
Last but not least, thanks to everyone who is carrying a rainbow flag, ribbon, hat, badge, umbrella at the Open. You are passionate about equality, passionate about tennis, determined to make your point but without creating disharmony and disruption.
As we fly our colours through this final weekend, please think about what you want to happen next year. We have 12 months in which to plan, organise and fundraise. In Chris Tanti's words, let's drape the whole tennis centre in rainbows, in 2013!!
Current Affairs
Rainbow Reporter
Current Affairs
Rainbow Reporter