Cher has responded to fans who raised concern about her selfie with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
The Prime Minister took the photo with the iconic singer at Saturday’s 40th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade celebrations.
Fans of the singer sent her messages on Twitter arguing that Australia’s leader has a questionable record on LGBTI rights, having put the LGBTI community through the drawn out postal survey process, voiced support for US President Donald Trump and enforced Australia’s mandatory detention for refugees arriving by boat.
Cher responded saying she was sorry if the image had upset people, but said Turnbull was very excited to be at Mardi Gras.
“Am so sorry. Guess that’s why I have few friends who are politicians. He seemed very open and excited about Mardi Gras and LGBTI community,” Cher posted.
Speaking to the media on Saturday night the Prime Minister said the postal survey had been a great experience for Australia and the LGBTI community.
“It was like the nation gave same-sex couples an enormous hug,” Turnbull said.
The Prime Minister then went on to oddly link the protest march’s 40th anniversary with his own marriage to wife Lucy.
“It’s 40 years old, and 40 years ago Lucy and I had our first date, so our love affair is a result of Mardi Gras,” he told reporters.
The Liberal party’s float has some challenges as it headed down the parade route. At one point a group of protesters leaped in front of the contingent holding signs that read “Turn Back the Float”, a reference to the Turnbull government’s ‘Turn Back the Boats’ policy.
OIP Staff
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