Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett has created a furore with his support for a local football club’s decision to sack a trainer after his bisexuality was revealed.
A former soldier, and veteran trainer for 22 years, Ken Campagnolo launched a discrimination claim against the AFL and its chief executive Andrew Demetriou following his sacking from the Bonnie Doon Football Club.
Kennett was quoted in the Herald Sun on July 27th as defending the club’s decision, stating:
‘The club felt that once this had been pointed out and you had this gentleman there who was obviously close to young men – massaging young men – it ran an unnecessary risk and that’s why it decided it was best that he not perform those duties again. So the club was trying to do the right thing.’
‘When you are in charge of a group of young boys, as this club was as I understand it, it’s got to make sure.’
Mr Kennett went on to say it was as if the club had a pedophile trainer.
‘It’s the same if you have a pedophile there as a masseur, right? And you might say the pedophile would do no damage, but once it was pointed out to you, you have a duty of care to those underage children not to put them in a situation of risk.’
The comments have caused particular outrage given the disproportionately high rate of depression and suicide amongst young gay, lesbian and trans people, and Mr Kennett’s role as Director of beyondblue, a national depression initiative.
‘Mr Kennett’s comments perpetuate precisely the myths and stereotypes which contribute to depression and suicide in the gay community,’ stated Rodney Croome, spokesperson for the Australian Coalition for Equality (ACE).
ACE have called for Kennett to be sacked from his position at beyondblue, and for the organisation to ‘fund programs tackling the effects of homophobia on same-sex attracted youth, particularly in rural areas.’
Kennett has since claimed that his comments were taken out of context, but this has failed to silence his critics.
Indeed, many gay and lesbian advocates have gone further, calling on the AFL to adopt an anti-homophobia policy. The AFL has rejected the calls, despite some individual clubs and lower leagues instituting discrimination policy changes.
AFL Guidelines already state that no person should abuse or discriminate against another on the basis of ‘race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin,’ but make no mention of sexual orientation or gender identity.
