Mardi Gras accepts Wilson’s apology
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.”
Very nice! ggeddcagee
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.
[…] Democratic Party’s candidate for Sydney called the parade ‘live porn’) * News anchor calls Mardi Gras “disgusting” (Star […]
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 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-
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
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?
Not a place or position for subjective and distorted opinions… on air apology was needed.
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…
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?
35? No way!
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
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
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
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 just think that using the word “disgusting” is a bit much and inapropriate!
Dave that makes no sense,how has females and families got ANYTHING to do with this?Leave them out.
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.
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.