SYDNEY, 03 DECEMBER 2019 (AAP) – A prominent gay rights campaigner has written to the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW to accuse ex-Wallaby Israel Folau of homosexuality vilification.
Activist Garry Burns on Sunday wrote to the board’s president complaining about Folau’s infamous April Instagram post in which he warned hell awaits homosexuals.
Burns has demanded Folau apologise and make a $100,000 donation to a charity.
Burns also complained about the rugby player’s more recent comments in a video sermon linking severe droughts and bushfires to same-sex marriage legislation.
He wrote that Folau’s statements were “objectively capable of incitement of contempt and or hatred of homosexual persons on the ground of their homosexuality”.
“To suggest or imply that same-sex couples are causing these dreadful (natural disaster) events to occur, that – I would allege – is vilification because it’s singling out a particular group within the community,” Burns said.
Folau is set to commence court-ordered mediation with Rugby Australia on Monday in a bid to reach an agreement following his dismissal.
