Premium Content:

Premier Baird Regrets 'Lifestyle Choice' Comments

Mike Baird NSW Premier

New South Wales’ new Premier has expressed regret about previous comments he made to the press about homosexuality being a “lifestyle choice”.

- Advertisement -

In an interview with Fairfax Media in 2012, Mike Baird said he failed to see how not passing marriage equality legislation in New South Wales would be detrimental to the LGBT community.

“I don’t in any way see that as a degradation or a reduction in rights for those who are choosing to live a homosexual lifestyle,” he said in the interview.

“But for me, marriage [is] a man and a woman and I think that preserving that, and the legacy and history of that, is important.”

Baird was last week promoted to the position of Premier of New South Wales after the resignation of Barry O’Farrell, and has told the Star Observer that he misspoke when he made the aforementioned comments regarding marriage equality and the LGBT community.

“I chose my words poorly when I referred to a lifestyle choice,” he said.

“I was merely trying to say that everybody should be free to be who they are.”

“I do not judge people on the basis of race, religion or sexuality,”

“I judge them by how they behave and what they contribute to the community and those around them.”

Baird previously acknowledged his 2012 comments in a statement made in April last year, at which time he said “While my conscience says marriage is for a man and a woman, I know many disagree and indeed the pain many feel on this issue.”

Baird was reportedly a keynote speaker at at the Christian Democratic Party’s annual conference during last year’s Federal Election, at which time he was photographed shaking hands with New South Wales Upper House MP Fred Nile. According to a CDC newsletter, he spoke at the event about his “Christian testimony and how God led him into the area of government and politics”.

Baird told Fairfax Media last weekend that he had no intention of imposing his religious perspectives on political decision-making, and reportedly believes that his faith will not be a political issue.

Latest

Burkina Faso brings in new laws to criminalise homosexuality

The country has not previously had laws targeting the LGBTIQA+ communities.

Izak Rankine apolgises for gay slur as he returns to Australia

Adelaide Crows player Izak Rankine has delivered an apology...

Olympian Greg Louganis is selling his medals to fund leaving the USA

The 65-year-old Olympian said he's ready for the next chapter of his life.

Queer Screen announces award winners

The Sydney based festival has just enjoyed a spectacular season.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Burkina Faso brings in new laws to criminalise homosexuality

The country has not previously had laws targeting the LGBTIQA+ communities.

Izak Rankine apolgises for gay slur as he returns to Australia

Adelaide Crows player Izak Rankine has delivered an apology...

Olympian Greg Louganis is selling his medals to fund leaving the USA

The 65-year-old Olympian said he's ready for the next chapter of his life.

Queer Screen announces award winners

The Sydney based festival has just enjoyed a spectacular season.

On This Gay Day | The film 'My Own Private Idaho' made its debut

In 1991 'My Own Private Idaho' screened at the...

Burkina Faso brings in new laws to criminalise homosexuality

The country has not previously had laws targeting the LGBTIQA+ communities.

Izak Rankine apolgises for gay slur as he returns to Australia

Adelaide Crows player Izak Rankine has delivered an apology for his use of a gay slur during an AFL match, an incident that saw...

Olympian Greg Louganis is selling his medals to fund leaving the USA

The 65-year-old Olympian said he's ready for the next chapter of his life.