A Channel Ten newsreader has apologised on air after he branded the Sydney Mardi Gras parade “disgusting”.
The interview on Ten’s Morning News on Monday between Mardi Gras co-chair Peter Urmson and newsreader Ron Wilson turned sour after what began as a general discussion about the political themes of this year’s Mardi Gras. It quickly turned into a tense back-and-forth between the two when Wilson began questioning the relevance and appropriateness of the parade in 2011.
“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,” Wilson said.
“Our community is extremely colourful, and we celebrate our diversity through …” Urmson replied, before Wilson interrupted by saying “there’s a difference between colourful and disgusting”.
At one point, Wilson questioned why the gay and lesbian community was pushing same-sex marriage as an issue.
“There’s acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle. Why not let time take care of the gay marriage issue rather than pushing it?” he asked.
A clearly dumbfounded Urmson responded by saying, “Because if we don’t push for it, no one’s going to.”
Criticism of Wilson’s performance exploded on the Star Observer’s website – www.starobserver.com.au – and social media platforms, with many questioning the bizarre and uncharacteristic editorialising of what began as a fairly straightforward interview for the 35-year news veteran.
Following the backlash Wilson apologised for the interview in a statement on Monday night and on air at the end of the Tuesday morning news broadcast.
“As a journalist, my job is to present an issue from different perspectives,” Wilson said in an on air apology.
“But there is no question I could have chosen my words better. If anyone took offence at anything I said during the interview I apologise. I fully support the gay community in its campaign to promote the issue of gay marriage and I congratulate the gay and lesbian community on the success of Mardi Gras. Please take that with the upmost sincerity.”
Urmson said he was happy to accept Wilson’s apology.
“We appreciate the need for an interviewer to present contrary views and it is our roles as spokespeople to respond, however clearly a line was crossed yesterday and Ron made some highly subjective and damning comments which it is now clear he regrets,” he said in a statement.
“Furthermore we appreciate that Ron was prepared to go on record, on a personal basis, stating his support for same-sex marriage. That is something that neither major political party has to date been prepared to do. It is not something Ron needed to do, but clearly felt important to put on record.
“As far as we are concerned, it lays the matter to rest. Channel Ten has given otherwise positive coverage to this year’s Festival and Parade, and we look forward to working with them again in the future.”
Sydney gay activist Gary Burns has announced he will lodge a complaint against Wilson at the NSW 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.
Ten also released a statement yesterday in regards to the comments:
“Ten Morning News featured eight minutes of overwhelmingly positive coverage of Mardi Gras. Ron Wilson congratulated organisers on the success of the 2011 event.
One small section of the interview raised a question about behaviour by some participants. The phrasing might not have been ideal, and TEN apologises if any viewers took offence.
However, it is not unreasonable for alternative views to be put to organisers and the interview talent agreed that while he didn’t hold the view, some sections of society may.”
As a news reader Ron Wilson should not be abusing his position by using the news desk as a platform for his (narrow-minded) personal views.
His job is to read the news. I don’t care for his opinion.
@David 9.26pm
Grow up,lol..and whats this “honey” crap,you may be gay as am I,but please god why,why do we have to act so pretentious and over feminine it’s immature,and in case you have not noticed the straight community that you all so often like to group yourselves away from and be “victims” is supporting us more than the Government or Churches.Stop being so judgemental and negative.
Are there any straight people on The New Mardi Gras Board?
Looks like we still havent matured yet as a community. Why are we still being so sensitive to critisism?
I agree with @Will about the technique Ron “probably” used to get some passion into the discussion. Clearly this has worked.
.. and yes the Mardi Gras theme this year was “Say Something” and Ron did Say Something, also probably on behalf of some viewers.
I think the interview seemed balanced, positive, supportive and also critical.. Whats wrong with that?
I also think Peter held his own very professionally.. We should feel proud to have him as co-chair.
@Glen,have you asked any if they would like to????
I tend to half agree with Wilson. This being my first mardi-gras I was embarassed at the fact that most women had their boobs out, lots of penises on floats everywhere, people dry-humping and such… If you were to do that on the same street any other day of the year, you’d get arrested.
I for one don’t think its good for our community to be seen like that, it makes us a JOKE and was cringe-worthy. It makes a mockery of the rights we believe and the bills we want passed and the important issues we want brought to light.
I certainly don’t want to be associated with a mockery of the community and thats all I saw Saturday Night.
And for people who say they are so open minded and such, a lot of you are very narrow minded when it comes to people of your same community having differing opinions on whats good for it. Just respect it, you don’t have to like it.
He wasn’t being homophobic. You might want to look up the definition of the word.
The gay collective need to stop being so freaking sensitive every time someone voices an opinion about them. Get over it already!
Personally, I agree. I’m a gay guy and I think Mardi Gras *is* cringeworthy. It’s not homophobic to voice the opinion.
Sounds like Wilson isn’t entirely sure whether he was offensive or not. Maybe he should go have a think about that before offering a half-assed apology.
It’s not so much the disgusting comment that offends me – as I personally don’t think it looks very attractive to look at big fat guys wearing G-Strings either.. although he could have probably refrased it better – what annoys me the most is the he calls being gay a lifestyle choice – This in itself shows his ignorance and arrogance..
Joy, oh joy. Another person in a powerful position (high profile media) using that position to promote his stupidity and /or ignorance. If women had not ‘pushed’ for voting rights and had waited for ‘time’ for it to happen, we would still be waiting (and not celebrating International Women’s Day today). If aborigines had not ‘pushed’ for those same voting rights (and land rights and healthcare) and now for equal opportunity, but waited for ‘time’ to take it’s course, they would still be waiting. It’s a sad indictment on our society I know, but success in the area of basic human rights for ALL, has not happened waiting for ‘time’ but by brave people fighting for it. Sadly, so too does the gay community have to fight for same sex marriage, a right that is enjoyed by the rest of the community. Stupid comments coming from people like Ron Wilson stir up the rednecks, the stupid and the ignorant members of our society as evident by one or two of the previous comments. Pull your head in Ron, your homophobic attitude is showing no matter how ‘sincere’ you believe yourself to be.
There are undoubtedly aspects of the gay and lesbian lifestyle which are disgusting, and perhaps these are what Ron Williams was referring to.
Perhaps he is disgusted by:
• The high proportion of gay and lesbian young people who attempt suicide – in part because of school yard bullying and a belief that their sexual preference is disgusting. Ron Williams could spend time with the Suicide Prevention Australia to understand this issue a little better.
• The large numbers of gay and lesbian young people who are thrown out of the family home and live on the streets because their sexual preference is seen as disgusting by their family. Volunteering with charity Twenty10 would help educate Ron about this.
• The high rates of drug dependency, depression and suicide amongst gay and lesbian people caused in part by having your sexual identity labelled as disgusting. Spending time with the Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service would help Ron understand this issue better.
• The unacceptable level of ‘gay bashings’ which occur in Australia – perpetrated by people who feel that a homosexual lifestyle (or even mannerism) is disgusting. Time spent with ACON’s anti-violence project would help Ron understand this.
Wether intended or not, his use of the word disgusting has caused real damage and is a step backwards in the fight for full equality. It showed poor judgement and a lack of understanding of the sensitivities and the issues involved.
Apologies to date have not been adequate, a suitable donation by Ron personally and Channel 10 to the organisations listed above would go some way to show genuine remorse.
Perhaps Wilson does have a point, but his choice of words was a classic tabloid confrontational interview tactic.
I think he may have been put up to it by Channel 10′s news boss, who himself felt emboldened by the escalating anti-gay marriage scare campaign being waged by Murdoch’s The Australian newspaper.
While that newspaper is not very widely read by the public, it *is* widely read by news media insiders who often take its cue on national issues.
Don’t underestimate the agenda of The Australian’s conservative chief and his senior editors. In our fight for equal marriage, countering that newspaper’s influence is one our biggest hurdles.
Obviously he did the wrong thing but the apology seemed sincere so I won’t hold a grudge.
Substitute disgusting for tasteless and he would have been bang on the money. I stopped reading when the article mentioned Gary Burns. I find him an embarrassment most of the time for his ability to accuse nearly everyone of homophobia.
Those questions sounded like they came from Fred Nile’s office, or a conservative Christian person. Channel 10 should be embarrassed by this, as a gay-Christian, I found Mr Wilson’s explanation of expanding the story using journalism to be unsatisfacory. Only a homophobic person would have wrote those words, to goad Peter Urmson… If he said a similar thing about women he would have been fired.
Ron Wilson might well go down to any beach and he will find more nudity then mardi-gras, and public displays of heterosexual people kissing or holding hands in a sexual way can be found on any city street.
I do not think our rights are “disgusting”. I do not think we should “wait and settle down” and have no further rights.
Channel 10 needs to broadcast an apology on the same show they vilified us in.
I’m 100% gay and i cringe at how lewd and nasty mardi gras participants can get. I don’t mind Ron wilsons criticism using the word disgusting. I pretty much feel the same. why would he apologise. I hope he takes him to court and gets knocked back by the judge. that would be funny.
I’m gay and I find some of the parade tacky and disgusting. There is no doubt that some of the floats spread an image of our community that is not the best. We should be more careful about how we present ourselves to the world. It’s just about being media-savy.
Remember Channel 10, families go the beach and see all those girls with boobs flashing! Are you going to call all families disgusting?
But some of the ‘acts’ are pretty disgusting, I’m gay and hope that when people think of Mardi Gras they do not think of me. It does not represent me or my homosexual friends and family members. It’s just a publicity stunt in an attempt to be controversial and act like a hedonistic pack of animals…no judgement though each to there own :) The organisers seriously need a dose of grow the F up and start being relevent to today and not 30 years ago.
Let’s be accurate, he didn’t call the parade ‘disgusting’. He was talking about specifically about the sexual imagery on display, not the entire parade.
Dave that makes no sense,how has females and families got ANYTHING to do with this?Leave them out.
I just think that using the word “disgusting” is a bit much and inapropriate!
The Mardi Gras is underneath all of the glitz still a protest. I personally think the gay community has a lot to be proud of, how amny other minority groups have managed to take on society without resorting to violence. Would some parts of the straight community prefer if we dropped the fun aspect of the Mardi Gras and protested like other groups in society, e.g violence, hatred, riots. That would be truly disgusting.
I think it was a poor choice of words.
Unfortunately, he’s chosen pretty abominable words. I agree “disgusting” was OTT. Had he said “tacky” or “tasteless” I’d be more inclined to agree.
Nevertheless, the whole point of the MG parade, I thought, was to draw attention to ourselves and therefore our call for equality. While most of the floats don’t represent me or my friends, I’m not opposed to being entertained either, which is also kinda the point.
But I do see how some of the more outlandish participants can reinforce negative stereotypes among less liberal-minded types (ie: the majority of mainstream Australia) I guess it’s a fine line between in-your-face entertainment/ peaceful protest and potentially offensive exhibitionism.
Anyway. I don’t believe he’s paid for his opinion, but rather his ability to read the news, and remain impartial while doing so. And for that gaff, he was right to release an apology. He also went on to express support for our community and marriage equality (which he wasn’t compelled to do)
He was out of line … and he’s apologised.
Will someone shut Gary Burns up before HE makes us look stupid again??? Apology accepted, matter is done and dusted, let’s just move on.
Being sleazy is not a human right.Not an equal right. It is a lifestyle choice to wear feather boas with a bare bum.
When Mardi gras started it was the time when people fought for alternate lifestyles to be socially accepted like promiscuity, free love, living in sin etc. Not in support of conservative institutions like marriage, quite the opposite. To imply sleaze and deviant behaviour should be respected as a same sex marriage protest is an affront to what marriage is all about.
Like Charlie Sheen saying he has a right to fatherhood right now. Want to be family members with spouses and children Mardi gras is not the way to demand it.
not Burns again ! Out looking for homophobia that is not there, speaking on behalf of us. blah, blah. He does not represent me or my community. The newsreader was wrong but he has said sorry
In 2011 the majority of people who make an issue out of being Gay are the Gays themselves! The majority of the population just don’t care anymore who and what a gay is or who and what a straight is! It’s like the aboriginal rights movement they got there national apology and now no one cares anymore, they are seriously pushing crap uphill to get a headline these days! Time to move on folks!
This tendency in the media and from politicians is becoming all 2 frequent. To say something really outrageous then retract it. It’s kind of a provocation to elicit reaction..any reaction as long as its hype and newsworthy. The rejoinder is always about ‘fairness’ and ‘balanced’ alternative opinions, not fairness to the gay community but usually religious bigots. It’s the greatest injustice and travesty of fairness that Australian anti discrimination laws are anything but protective, and the UN thinks so 2, with all the religious exemptions.
Thank you Glen. I try to live life openly and see all. We are all diverse and special in our own way. Lets look out for each other.
Cx
Good on you Ron for clarifying and apologising.
i am a out PROUD gay man. and while i support gay issues, i am sorry to say Ron wilson was correct -aspects of the mardi gras was disgusting.
Its one thing to spread a message – but i dont see how this is done by being overly sexually explicit in a parade ?????
at the end of the day people need to ACCEPT people just as that.
there is many many things in the life that people will not see eye to eye on.
how about accepting TOLERANCE LOVE and ACCEPTANCE – that needs to be everyones message
35? No way!
I am a gay guy and agree with Ron. Marching for gay rights is one thing but displaying fetishes and simulated sexual situations is not what I call a celebration of our colourful community. Its more a parade of exhibitionism. The parade only represents a small sub-culture of gays, the flamboyancy is embarrasing. I wonder if guys living in remote areas can relate to the parade when coming to terms with there sexuality?
I would like to support Ron Wilson in his comments about the Mardi Gras. Some of the aspects of the Sydney Mardi Gras ARE disgusting and they are reflective of the entire community… You are kidding yourself if you think the entire world should accept you simply because you are gay. Get over yourself… the only reason gay people have what they have today is becuase of the dignified way in which members of the gay community and their supporters have been able to campaign for change… That idiot who hosted on Arena WAS NOTHING LESS THAN DISGUSTING… so give Ron a break – he has done for the gay community than most…
Not a place or position for subjective and distorted opinions… on air apology was needed.
But the media is compliant in this. There are plenty of non-sexual participants in the parade, interstate contingents, community groups, religious groups, satirical floats etc. Why doesn’t Ron Wilson speak to the Channel 10 producers about acknowledging all that and avoiding the “disgusting” parts?
Good God! All we want is equality! That should be so easy to give in this great country. But it seems to be hard, very hard, and we have to fight every inch of the way. Fight the good fight, boys and girls, and take no notice of this newsreader who doesn’t deserve his job.
Pete
i completely agree with newsreader the word disgusting he used is an underestimation and does not describe the absurdity and stupidity of their behaviour
shame on all the gay people
Their behaviour is compeltely unnatural
completely unnatural and their disgusting behaviour, yes digusting i say is not something they should be proud of
instead it is quite an embarrassment to nature
good on the newsreader
he should not have aplogised to disgusting people- yea i say digusting
They are not worthy of any aplogy to a decent man like him
they should not be allowed to protest in the streets at all
the digusting people
Shame on them-
I don’t think Ron passed his opinion in the entire interview. He literally asked a question. As a journo isn’t he supposed to arouse interesting conversation during an interview? Not Ron’s fault the other guy couldn’t answer a simple question. Why should we all tip toe around the topic of being homosexual – I mean if you support swinging willies and boobs in the open street as an expression of sexuality, in a society where most of us would get locked up for indecent exposure, well be prepared to understand your own rationale for your beliefs cos intellectually I can give you 10 good reasons why we should do it but personally I don’t need to see other people’s private parts to feel like I belong or feel more sure about my sexuality. Educate people rather than slaughter them for asking obvious questions. That Gary Burns fella is acting like a bored housewife-too much time on his hands and with so many more serious and entertaining topics to discuss than the mardi gras maybe the media should stop giving air time to the passe mardi gras until they move with times and convey some IQ not just EQ. (Warning: Written in a rush and not intended to make anyone feel upset)
I didn’t even realise this had happened. I was a regular viewer of Ten’s early news and believe Ron’s a really good news reader. Sadly, Channel 10 deemed fit to ban the snippet above so I couldn’t form an opinion of what transpired. Just purely going by words won’t tell me how things were said (In jest perhaps?). Ron has since apologised but did not appear whole-hearted. Betwwen Paul Henry & Ron, I’d have Ron back minus his personal views.