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Ron Wilson brands Mardi Gras “disgusting”

Updated: TEN News presenter Ron Wilson apologises for comments made during an interview with Mardi Gras co-chair Peter Urmson.

TEN News presenter Ron Wilson today branded elements of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade “disgusting” during an interview with New Mardi Gras co-chair Peter Urmson.

“Some of the spectacles you’re seeing, I’m assuming would even make you cringe,” he said. “It becomes an exploitation almost of a sexual image rather than trying to explore the diversity of lifestyle.”

“Our community is extremely colourful, and we celebrate our diversity through-” began Urmson.

“With respect, there’s a difference between colourful and disgusting, in some cases,” Wilson interrupted.

“I don’t think I would necessarily agree that any of it was disgusting, though,” replied Urmson.

“This year it was very flamboyant.”

Wilson disagreed, saying that some of the Parade “crossed the line.” His editorial seemed to contradict other elements of the interview that acknowledged a wider acceptance of homosexuality as well as screening clips from the “Say Something” campaign.

But his comments have already sparked a reaction on Facebook and Twitter.

Updated: A TEN spokesperson told TV Tonight

TEN Morning News featured 8 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.”

UPDATE 2: Ron Wilson has since said, “As a journalist my job is to present an issue from different perspectives. 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.”

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmqaCQM90aQ[/youtube]

UPDATE 3: apology

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpn_9eeqpQA[/youtube]

96 Responses

  1. Ron Wilson’s apology is commendable. However, words spoken cannot be retrieved and they probably reflect the deeper attitude and feeling contained below the surface. This has tainted his reputation and diminishes his credibility.

    I am gay and my 10 year wonderful marriage is still only recognised off shore. Just as with equal votes or racial equality all we ask for is equality in relationship recognition – what makes my loving relationship any less valid that it should not be acknowledge by the same laws that apply to heterosexual unions.

    Mr Wilson you need to do more than apologise – actions are required – perhaps you might consider doing an informed segment on your show about gay marriage and what it really means…….?

  2. @Bogan Pride. Totally agree with you Ron was just being Honest and yes he is a news reader and sometimes interviewer but he is not like some of the shock jocks on Radio who constantly rant and voice their opinions. Apart from that interview i cant ever remember Ron saying anything like he did, and as soon as he does he gets critizesed. Not fair. He wasnt being offensive he was just saying what he thought and when you read back what he said it actually makes sense.

  3. David, just read your rebuttle to Josh S, and while you may take issue with him suggesting your headline was “for clicks”, you have quite clearly taken Ron out of context. At no stage did he “brand” the Mardi Gras disgusting. You may have clarrified that he was referring only to elements of the parade in the story, but that doesn’t take away from the emotive and misleading headline.

  4. i am a queer person & i want equality not special treatment, so if the straight community would not be able to parade nude down the street then neither should the queer community. Having said that, surely most people would rather be exposed to naked bits in a fun parade than some distasteful things on our streets such as thugs getting blind drunk & bashing each other senseless or footy morons verbally abusing each other just because they barrack for a different team, perhaps those easily offended should just not go out after dark at all ;P

  5. This isn’t an anti-gay issue. Ron should not be condemned or championed as a voice of such.

    Has anybody who has been to the parade honestly never seen anything on the night they’d rather their grandmother didn’t see?

    There are floats that bypass innuendo for out-and-out smut (I even sound like a grandmother).

    I wouldn’t turn up at the parade and not expect to see such things, but organisers frequently promote it as a family event and I think any reasonable person would admit many people would find such things offensive whether they personally do or not.

  6. Wilson said. “With respect, there’s a difference between colourful and disgusting,” Is this not true in all walks of life. Or are some people so paranoid about being called homophobic, that they give the gay community a free ride?

  7. I have one more thing to say to the older gays on here claiming how they hate Mardi Gras because they went once and feel it misrepresents them…. you’re a bunch of complaining fools.
    The Mardi Gras floats are incredibly diverse and while some are overtly sexual which I freakin love for the record… others are as tame as anything. You don’t have to feel ‘represented’ by every float that walks down the parade route. Stop running around saying how ‘straight acting’ you are and crawl out from under your rock for just one second. You don’t have to love Oxford St to be a queer, but you do have to respect it’s place, as well as respecting the Mardi Gras’ place.
    So someone got their wang out, big effin deal. Do you know what’s more disgusting… the violence that happens on the streets in a Kings Cross on an average Friday and Saturday night. Take issue with something that’s actually an issue.
    P.s I wore hotpants, fake tan, glitter and stilletos on the day. I kept the old codger off display, but it’s fun to let loose every once in a while… like you’re going to a fancy dress party… maybe you just have too many body issues for it… shame 🙁

  8. A tv journo rightly or wrongly expresses an opinion through the way he phrased a question. What do we get? A pc over-reaction by a vociferous minority group. Not everyone is sympathetic to the cause of the gay & lesbian community and in a democratic society, they have an absolute right to express this. To drown out views and vilify those that express them is one step away from a totalitarian state a.k.a. 1930s Germany.

  9. oh and josh S- i dont know how me wearing underwear or not helps this discussion out, but just for your peace of mind,- i woulnt have a problem with a naked you, i dont have a problem with nudity at all, some ones sexual orientation or gender doesnt phase me at all- a naked body is just that unless you choose to put a meaning or lable with it =)

  10. i understand people have different opinions about this, If the segment was meant as a debate/ disscussion then Rons in titled to his opinion (negative and positive) but i feel he just choose to voice his at the wrong time, in an interview announcing the nights success.

    The ‘straight man’ not allowed to expose themselves comment- have you walked around the city area late at night? ive seen many people, gay and straight letting it ‘all hang out’ as you put it lol

    And the nudity, the media footage ive seen hasnt shown nudity (code of conduct i think is it?) and i dont meant to sound rude saying this but, if youre uncomfortable with nudity etc maybe dont watch the parade live, or look another way while those floats pass? Mardi gras celebrates love and sexuality- from the weird to the wonderful

  11. Tarquin M said it well if someone wishes to be respected by the masses,act respectable.
    Its not rocket science whatever sexual persuasion you pretend to adhere to common decency and respect are tantamount to acceptance in any civilized society.

  12. David, I meant the headline rather than the article (which is asbolutely relevant). However I am not a journalist, so I can’t suggest something that ‘pops’ as well as what you’ve used (everyone’s a critic hey?). And I get your point about the phrasing of Ron’s question. Sorry to give you reason to write such a reply to little ol’ me :). I will behave in future!

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