Former Tennis champion and Perth-based religious leader the Reverend Margaret Court has hit back at Vogue editor Anna Wintour who accused her of being intolerant.
Yesterday Wintour delivered a speech at the Australian Open tennis championships adding her voice to the many people who have suggested that the Melbourne stadium that bears Margaret Court’s name should be renamed.
“I find that it is inconsistent with the sport for Margaret Court’s name to be on a stadium that does so much to bring all people together across their differences,” Wintour told the crowd at the Australian Open’s Inspirational Series event yesterday.
“This much I think is clear to anyone who understands the spirit and the joy of the game. Intolerance has no place in tennis.” Wintour said.
Reverend Court has a long history of campaigning against LGBTI rights, and has previously described children who are transgender of being ‘of the devil’. While she was a vocal opponent against marriage equality during the postal survey, she has also spoken out against homosexuality for many years. The former tennis champion has also complained that professional tennis has been overtaken by lesbians.
This morning Court hit back telling The West Australian that as a foreigner Wintour should not comment on Australian politics or sporting heroes.
“The saddest thing is someone coming from America and telling us what to do.” Reverend Court said. The religious leader said it was Wintour who was being intolerant by not listening to people who held a different opinion to her.
Reverend Court said she had only ever repeated what was written in The Bible and was concerned that freedom of religion was under attack in Australia. Reverend Court said she deserved to have the stadium named after her because of her sporting achievements.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Wintour had her facts wrong and was “ignorant”, while Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton described the speech as “tacky”. Former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop however said Wintour made some “pretty pertinent points” during her speech.
News Corp columnist Miranda Devine has also chastised Wintour for sharing her thoughts on Australian political issues. Describing her as a “like some dowager duchess come to the colonies to instruct the natives on etiquette.” Labeling Wintour a “snob” and “rude” Devine said Wintour should consider the role she’s played in the fashion industry in relation to young women affected by modeling.
Fellow News Corp writer Chris Kenny said Wintour was “ignorant” and had crossed a line with her comments and had been “uncharritable” and “unfair” to Reverend Court.
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford appeared on Perth radio station 6PR this morning and said he was supportive of Margaret Court’s position. Ford said that complaints about the minister’s views were redundant now that the issue of same-sex marriage had been decided.
“I actually will support Margaret Court on this one.” Ford said. “I think, for a start – it all seems a bit redundant doesn’t it – we’ve done the whole same-sex marriage thing. It’s all sorted out and suddenly Anna Wintour threw this grenade yesterday.”
Ford said as the editor of Vogue Wintour came from one of the least inclusive places. “How many wheelchairs do you see on the cover of Vogue? It’s even a rarity to see Asian folk or people of colour of the front cover.”
“Her word is full of judgement.” Ford said before noting that the Australian Open was sponsored was Emirates Airline which is based in the UAE – a country which does not have a positive record on LGBTI rights.
The entertainment reporter admitted that Reverend Court has spent years actively campaigning against LGBTI rights and her views were discriminatory, but Ford said she should be free to voice them.
OIP Staff
