Sunday, January 15, 2012

Shall I bring my rainbow flag?

So I'm in Australia! Got to Melbourne this past weekend after almost a week in Sydney. And today (it's Monday here) we head to the night session at the Australian Open! Roger Federer and Caroline Wozniacki are on the schedule.
Found out this morning that Australian former player Margaret Court, who has an arena named after her at Melbourne Park, has been making some anti-gay marriage statements lately--in the context of her position as a Pentecostal pastor. Apparently these are views she has always held. But perhaps not so wise to make them again publicly right before the start of the Open and during Melbourne's biggest gay celebration: Midsumma. And, according to some gay men we met yesterday who were civilly unionized in Scotland, gay marriage in Australia is a big issue right now
So in protest, people are headed to Margaret Court Arena with their rainbow flags for a visible, yet peaceful and quiet, protest. We have tix for Rod Laver tonight, but tomorrow we have grounds passes and so will head over to check out the scene.

Court says she doesn't hate gay people. And she gave Sam Stosur some advice on playing on her home court.

No comments: