Ray Goodlass a resident of Wagga Wagga and one of the famous Mardi Gras 78ers has extended an invitation to new Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack to join him at the 40th anniversary Mardi Gras parade in Sydney.
In 1993 as editor of the Daily Advertiser in Wagga Wagga, McCormack wrote incredibly inflammatory and homophobic remarks in regards to the LGBTQIA+ community.
On Monday night’s edition of the ABC program Q&A, Harriet Harman, former Deputy Leader of British Labour suggested that if McCormack really wanted to show he had nothing against LGBTI people he’d probably have to lead a few Pride marches first.
Now it seems the door is open for the National’s leader to walk the talk.
“As a gay man living in McCormack’s home town, I experienced homophobia and McCormack’s apology did not undo the damage caused by his 1993 editorial.” Goodlass said.
“Last year I questioned the ethics of McCormack being given the job as Minister responsible for managing the marriage equality plebiscite.
“I have issued a genuine challenge to McCormack to prove his change of heart by marching in this year’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. I am ready to accompany McCormack in the parade up Oxford Street.”
Nationals MP Andrew Broad has criticised the media for digging up his bosses old articles and said it’s time to move on from the issue.
“To keep bringing this up … doesn’t show any sense of maturity in this country,” Broad told Sky News.
OIP Staff, image: Mardi Gras parade
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