I felt a responsibility to come out so others could do the same: Tim Wilson
Image: Human rights commissioner Tim Wilson speaking at the Melbourne launch of Out For Australia. (Photo: Matto Lucas)
HUMAN rights commissioner Tim Wilson said he feels a personal responsibility to be out as a gay man because when he was younger and struggling with his own sexuality there weren’t out role models for him to look up to.
Wilson said that while he came out relatively young, his “public” coming out was on national television.
“I had a strange coming out, because technically I came out on an episode of Q&A in 2008, debating Penny Wong about her position on marriage, and how she thought it should be defined as between a man and a woman,” he said.
“She’s changed her view on that, you might know.”
Wilson made the comments on Tuesday at the Melbourne launch of LGBTI professional mentoring organisation Out for Australia, in a discussion about how coming out can impact an LGBTI-friendly workplace culture.
Alongside Victorian upper house Labor MP Harriet Shing, Wilson was one of a number of panellists speaking on the subject of LGBTI-inclusion in the workplace.
“I’ve always had this very strong view, which is a very strong sense of personal responsibility [based on] what I would call torment that I went through throughout my teenage years over issues of sexual orientation, my place in the world and whether I’d be able to achieve my full potential,” Wilson said.
“Much of it came down to issues of visibility, and the absence of role models.”
The first out woman in Victorian parliament, Shing said that for her, coming out can be a day-to-day process, and one she has found challenging in some situations.
“I come out multiple times all the time… for me it’s been a very difficult weighing-up process that comes down to the individual circumstances at play on any given day, based on how I’m feeling about having the conversation,” she said.
“I’m going to be completely honest, I find it really hard sometimes to make that call.”
The event was completely packed, with many attendees standing to attend the panel discussion.
Out for Australia’s Charles Sunstrom said the organisation had been successful in attracting a large number of students and potential mentees — over half the attendees — as well as prospective mentors from professional sectors.
Sunstrom said as well as expanding to Victoria after a successful launch in Sydney, the organisation was beginning to look outside the finance and legal sectors, where most of the previous participants in the mentorship program had come from.
“I did a science degree, a lot of my friends are medics, so what we’re actually trying to do now is roll it out to different industries, not just finance and law, which was the initial push,” he told the Star Observer.
“What we’re doing now is getting away from the business and law angle, and we’re moving to ‘professionals’ broadly, however that wants to be defined. We like the ambiguity of that word because it’s anyone, and it’s for people to self-select.”
Visit the Out for Australia website for more information about becoming a professional mentor or student mentee.
[Photo: Matto Lucas (website)]
Who cares ? he’s still an Abbott puppet and right wing fraud and seriously a portrait of Ronald Reagan as a pinup boy? the President who set the US morally back 6 years ??
I love how politically aware (and politically responsible) the glbt community is. I don’t like Tim’s politics either, or appreciate him using his coming out as a political tool. I came out at 17, and on national television too, on a program called front up on sbs. I did it because it is who I am and I’m an honest person who tells the truth.
Most of you judgemental idiots have never even met Tim. So your personal remarks about his character are meaningless. Have your opinion. Sure. Disagree with him because his slightly more right wing than you. Sure. But don’t attack his character because he’s actually (believe it or not) a very decent human being.
Ben….
I have met Tim and he’s a nice guy but his association with the I.P.A. over many years is dubious to say the least in his work agenda.
It’s a RADICAL right wing agenda…he’s over the top for a Melbourne man that’s from a liveable Multicultural city that wants hate laws to exist
He comes across as extremely obnoxious over his many media appearances…it’s ridiculous! !
You’re spot on about diversity in the gay community. ..it’s partisan and one sided
Let’s move on for a better and more inclusive Australia! !
Go get em tiger!!
Ben….
These judgemental comments would fit in nicely to Tim’s own Freedom of Speech agenda to offend wouldn’t it??
Food for thought……
Selfish and shallow just like SOME elements of the gay community itself. …which might include Tim.
Many people have met Tim and have had different experiences with him….
It’s his “Freedom” to pick and choose his friends but it’s a bad look to the wider community who see gays against gays with such nasty vitriol
Isn’t that the society he wants us all to live in??
To be a bunch of gay Wankers…
Being nasty and offensive. ..it’s not a nice world to live injust like his Extreme ideology which has come back to bite him
Freedom
Freedom ……
I actually don’t mind Tim at all and like diversity of opinion backed up with FACTS
Ben…
Michael Kirby has the respect of people across ALL sectors of the gay community
Please ask yourself why Tim polarizes people so much?
Have a nice day.
#wanker free zone
Kirby is vain and the most cringe-inducing pedant you could meet. He just gets better press than Wilson.
Barbie…
I’ve met Mr Kirby and he’s well credentialed unlike Tim Wilson
Haters going to Hate eh?
He’s a lovely man in person as well.
Need a hug for your Hateful comment??
Xxx
Judgemental idiots…charming Ben.
Slightly more right wing? Lol
Nô body are parfait
The Bunyip Aristocracy aren’t as smart as everyone thinks they are…
They lost the election in Victoria
They can’t pass a budget
Their p.m is a laughing stock globally
They can’t eradicate sexism from their party
Tim should know better than to go with this mob of disfunctional and discredited people
Uncle Tom sadly that really should know better! !
Truly….who cares. What a waste of hot air and energy.
He’s still a loathsome, detestable creature.
Wow! Just WOW! The vitriol being thrown at Tim is just astounding. I guess it just demonstrates that some poofs are vicious, vindictive and refuse to accept anyone who doesn’t toe their narrow view of how things should be!
Some of the comments here make me ashamed to admit I’m gay; because I don’t want to admit I have anything in common with you people.
Yes I wholeheartedly agree.
Andrew O: by disclosing a private conversation you had with Tim your credibility has been diminished. …who cares who and when people get inspired…he’s OUT!
Greg: what people do in their personal lives is NONE of your business. .
The Reagan picture was in his room as it didn’t fit into the living room…nothing more to see there!!
It says more about all of you to attack him than just a little jealousy…he’s on a good salary and is articulate with his views.
Btw I’m a progressive from the moderate left.
Onwards and upwards to the next generation!
It’s not about being gay. If that were the case I’d be ashamed of being gay because Tim is.
If you know his ‘ethics’ the vitriol is quite well deserved.
What has Tim ever done for LGBTQI People ?? Just what exactly ?? I & many others have fought for LGBTQI People’s Rights ( & the Rights of Women & Indigenous Australians ) all my, our, adult lives, & never made a cent doing so. The LNP have never done anything for us or anybody but the Obscenely Greedy Rich . It is his politics that is on the nose not his sexuality .
What has this to do with the LNP. Tim’s not a member as far as I know, and he’s certainly not a politician; but he has championed marriage equality for same-sex couples
He’s been a long standing member of The Liberal party since University. ..
He resigned the same morning he was offered this lucrative gig…
Think harder about his intentions.
$$$$$$$
An insipid two faced man that cares about no one but his own self gain. The Star Observer should not lower my brain to his ignorance.
He’s out, he’s gay, he’s still a right wing prick.
He is a Liar.
Sub-human scum.
I don’t trust anyone who has a portrait of Ronald Reagan hanging in their bedroom.
And seriously, I’m all for depravity and some extreme sick shit, but really, who could fuck someone with Ronald Reagan looking down upon them. It’s almost so filthy I considered respecting it, but I realize it’s probably there without irony, and that’s just plain fucked, and not in a hot way.
He is just another pissant Tory Prick !
The real question to be asked is this…..?
How many people did he have to sleep with in his back room deals to get this gig??
Gay liberatarians are a “very interesting” breed indeed….lol!
Sorry if that offends but that’s Tims ludicrous ideology right there
Freedom of Speech ?
I hope Turnball takes over from Mr Abbott and puts Tim in his place…he’s a walking contradiction! !!
A sensible liberal with a conscience for Human Rights and protecting our community from harm
Wilson is a parasite
Love reading all the hateful comments from the Lefties. Absolutely hilarious reading. Pure gold. You guys are like, so uptight about almost everything aren’t you? Calm yourselves. lol
Sean why don’t you go back to watching the ‘Great Aussie Patriot’ and STFU.
All Social Reforms have come from Parties of the Left, & very occasionally from the Left of Centre Right Parties – usually playing catch up . Left is a compliment, Right is a euphemism for Fascist.
That also includes Margaret Thatcher gaining a free scholarship to study at University and then becoming Prime Minister
FACT
Every member of the current government has had a FREE tertiary education…including Chris Pyne.
I think you two have just made his point quite nicely :-/
I don’t remember this level of vitriol when Penny Wong towed her party’s homophobic line. Some might say that a conscience vote on marriage equality is still homophobic. Would people be ok with the ALP having a conscious vote on the rights of women or indigenous people?
Yep !
Besides penny did cop it on that front. This is actually about tims stance on everything else.
I actually approached the Minister Wong at Adelaide airport and told her that I was appalled at her behaviour in supporting it.
Maybe because Tim is such a polarizing figure who is a purely political appointmen that was non-elected and is “controversial”.
Penny Wong has done enough and doesn’t need to prove to anyone her own achievements within the gay community. The record speaks for itself and attacking her is repugnant. It speaks volumes about the recipient.
She’s a babe with a successful family.
Suck it up petals. Haven’t read anything that justifies the hatred of a gay bloke yet from you hard Lefties. Just venom, frustration, jealousy and the old ‘my opinion is more important than your’s because I’m righteous but you’re of the Right so shut up’. You know, all the traits you ‘hate’. Diversity and equality hard at work, I see. What can I say except, ‘hater’s gonna hate’. LMAO ;)
Sean….
Suck it up when Toxic Tony loses the next Federal election
You’re Wanker darls….
what absolute rubbish Sean
you really are showing the world what a bunch of wankers some gay Australians really are…
self righteous behaviour is born and bred from the far right wing which is how the liberal party has slowly become…
Menzies is turning in his grave darling…and doing somersaults as well watching his beloved party being taken over by lobbyists and GREED
HUGS AND KISSES XXX
hard lefties….
such simplistic and shallow analysis dear Sean.
The liberal party have gone so FAR to the right they have come back to the left so i guess you’re right in that respect ;)
I don’t seem to recall a period in time when neo-nazi groups have been so supportive of this extreme government
hugs darls XXX
He came out because I came out. and was elected by the Liberals… he told me his confidence increased because i did it. Tim Wilson is a right wing Fraud… Private message me for details…
Tim Wilson is a liberal stooge who’s job is to destroy the Human Rights Commission. It’s what his former employer wants so Tony will deliver.
That was a great episode with Penny Wong for the wider community. .
To see two prominent gay politicians from the opposite side of politics discuss diversity
I’m jealous of Tim as I would have loved to come out with Penny Wong as she is an absolute BABE!! She has done more for the community that Tim could ever dream of especially with her integrity.
Tim is being used by the neo-liberals for various reasons…if he’s smart enough he would know this anyway
Overpaid especially from a government that doesn’t like the public service
Even John Roskam was critical of Tim’s salary
I hope he’s good value for money as he might lose his job when Mr Abbott goes
Freedom eh Tim?!
Changed her view? I thought Wong consistently said she had to follow the party line but wanted the policy to change?
No. Wong, like Plibersek, toe the party line – and when it was Labor policy that marriage was “between a man and a woman” that was their position, and that’s how they voted in parliament.
They’re all “oh, it was the worst day of my life” now; but back then they didn’t give a sh*t; and if Labor changed their position again tomorrow they’d be voting against equality again.
Both Pliersek and Wong are politicians before anything else. Don’t every believe anything they say when their lips are moving.
Doesn’t stop him from being an absolute fuckstain. Every time I hear him speak or read something he has said I feel like I need to wash off the toxicity I have been exposed to
Tim Wilson is a queer traitor. He supports winding back queer rights, supporting people who hate us and attacking all workers regardless of sexuality.
As opposed to Penny Wong who said “I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman”? Instead of saying what she really meant “Ive been gagged by the ALP and my own ambitions as a poltician so I’ll just tow the party line”.
You do realize Wilson supports the right of businesses to discriminate?
Furthermore, he wants religious institutions to discriminate as well.
When did Malcolm Frasers legacy as a classical liberal become so bastardized by racist policies?
He’s not honouring The Liberal party tradition at all.
Well done Tim. We all know you’ve got twice the intellect and a good set of morals that Penny Wong can only dream about
Owen Wyteyes Tim was entirely correct in 2008 and Penny was wrong. How is that going in 2015? Do you support the Liberal or Labor party now on their marriage policy?
Ps. It is 2015 now, even in Queensland. xx
I don’t choose who to vote for on just one policy. I also don’t consider a policy on just how it affects me. I look at policy in terms of how it affects me, how it affects Australia as a whole. For me ‘marriage equality’ is not a defining issue.
Interesting given your posts and comments tend to be on individual issues. Rather than putting them into a larger context. I look forward to the new open minded O :)
Penny Wong is a thoughtful and very smart Senator who is highly regarded in many circles.
She doesn’t need to do anymore about Marriage Equality than being a strong presence in public life.
She’s had her second child and is perfectly fine as a great role model.
Those who attack her are just being Wankers!
Loathsome benighted reprobate that is deserving of disdain and contempt
Who cares about Wilson. An IPA stooge and Abbott lacky who earns $400,000 of tax payers money as human rights commissioner, yet states we all have a right to abuse and vilify people based on the color of their skin. Also an avid climate change denier…. disgusting :-(
Complete BS! He’s never said – nor even has the slime Brandis – that people have s right to vilify and abuse people!
Wilson has said that 17C, which prohibits “offence”, is inappropriate. I agree – offence is taken, not given, and far too many people claim they’re offended by minor issues! Heck, Nile could claim he’s “offended” by Mardi Gras and get it shut down (an extreme, and unlikely example, but one that could be implemented under Labor’s 18c law.
this Freedom agenda instigates casual racism and hate.
ideology and politics don’t mix in any context…the public are sick of it!
it’s not normal and very bad politics
He wanted to change the law after Bolt’s case went to court
Furthermore Bolt’s son worked at the i.p.a when Tim Wilson was a director…think harder about these political appointments
FACT Coincidence or not??
Ugh. Really? Cmon. Penny was only bound to talk about that, I don’t think it was her actual view.
Wilsons a turd
Don’t give that Tory any publicity
How nice of you to only support LGBTI folk that politically support Your Side.
Its what he has done & does that I dont support
Yes, “that Tory”. That shows it doesn’t matter what he does, even if he found the cure for cancer, you’d still dislike him because of his politics.
It was the nicest description I could use for him. He is quite proud of it
He’s a quisling. He is a member of a political party that has a leader who publicly states that he doesn’t have the right to marry, he is a member of the Human Rights Commission who has publicly stated that people protesting the gap between the poor and rich (he’s on almost $300K a year) should have water cannon turned on them to silence them, he was appointed to his position without any selection criteria other than being chosen by the AG.
He’s a born to rule boys club Tory who is willing to do whatever he can to go feather his own best up to and including allowing his own rights to be trashed.
Valid points….
He resigned from The Liberal party the morning it was publicly announced.
It’s a political appointment however someone so unsuitably qualified in his current role is quite dangerous
There’s also a degree of greedy hypocrisy with Tim who won’t allow his Freedom of Speech to offend mantra against him as a gay man
A walking contradiction and not good for the status of Australian Gay Men.
Spot on!
Uncle Tom
If that offends people I’m just using his own Freedom of Speech ideology against him
You can be highly educated but also very uncivilized and hedonistic as well
But that’s FREEDOM….
We would still be illegal if the LNP had their way .
The ALP had GLBT politicians saying horrible lines like “I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman”. Dont trust either party.
You’d be mad to trust either party
Michelle Zulberg is that you dear??