WA Police Minister Rob Johnson says he stands by his 2001 comments on homosexuality when he labelled it ‘not normal’.
During debate over the gay and lesbian reform bill in 2001, Johnson made several statements including ‘homosexuality is not normal’.
‘Any members on that side of the house who think that homosexuality is normal are living in cloud-cuckoo land,’ he said in 2001.
‘Members have to accept that homosexuality is not the norm.’
The member for Hillarys also accused homosexuals of wanting to ‘persuade young people to adopt their way of life’ and stated that ‘the whole purpose of the gay and lesbian Mardi Gras in Northbridge is to promote homosexuality.’
When asked by OUTinPerth if he still stood by these statements today, Mr Johnson said ‘yes’.
Last week the Police Minister was criticised by both the Western Australian Equal Opportunity Commissioner and Gay and Lesbian Equality WA over what has been seen as his latest anti-gay comment.
Mr Johnson’s affirmation of his past comments has drawn further criticism from Gay and Lesbian Equality (GALE) WA.
‘GALE had hoped that Mr Johnson would have moved on from his medieval perspective about the GLBTI community, and are deeply disappointed that a minister of his experience and status would display such ignorance and bigotry,’ said GALE WA convener Kitty Hawkins.
‘GALE would like to remind Mr Johnson that his own electorate of Hillarys will most definitely include members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, and that he has an obligation to ensure that they are as included as the rest of his constituents.’
Last week Johnson came under fire following an exchange in parliament over CHOGM costing when in response to a question raised by openly gay member for Perth John Hyde, Mr Johnson said ‘He is just really, really upset and jealous that we have got a true queen coming to WA.’ Mr Johnson withdrew the comment when it drew criticism from the other side of the house.
Graeme Watson
***
