Foley: Tennis no place for discrimination

Victorian Labor MP Martin Foley has slammed comments made by former women’s tennis great Margaret Court and urged tennis fans to don rainbow colours at this year’s Australian Open.

Foley has also called on Tennis Australia to display rainbow colours over Margaret Court Arena and commit to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission Fair Go, Sport! campaign which promotes LGBTI inclusion in sport.

“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,” Foley said.

“Don’t just take the view that these are the harmless comments of some old out-of-touch champion.

“We all need to counter discrimination and homophobia wherever it rears its head.”

Foley has thrown his support behind a current protest in which spectators attending the Grand Slam event have been wearing rainbow colours in solidarity with the LGBTI community.

“Her achievements from a previous generation of tennis make her well qualified to comment on tennis,” Foley said.

“But her tennis achievements from a previous generation give her no right to fuel discrimination and homophobia in this generation.

“The notion that her religious views can be used to justify hurtful, indeed hateful attitudes, to our same-sex attracted community deserves the strongest condemnation.”

Court recently indicated in media interviews she believes homosexuality is a choice and supports so-called conversion therapy for same-sex attracted people.

Tennis Australia has released a statement saying it does not share Court’s views.

“We believe that everyone should be treated equally and fairly,” Tennis Australia said.

INFO: Anyone wearing rainbow colours at the Open is being encourage to post photos on the Rainbow Flags Over Margaret Court Arena Facebook page or send them to [email protected]