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Radio 2UE has settled its vilification appeal with gay activist Gary Burns.
As part of the settlement, the ACON/Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BGF) Luncheon Club will receive $10,000 and presenter Steve Price will apologise on air for his and John Laws’ comments for any hurt they may have caused the gay community.
In 2003 Burns commenced proceedings in the Administrative Decisions Tribunal against Laws, Price and 2UE, claiming that their remarks about gay renovators Waz and Gav from the Nine Network television show The Block vilified gay men.
In 2005 he commenced proceedings against Laws for the same reason in relation to Laws’ on-air reference to Queer Eye for the Straight Guy presenter Carson Kressley as a “pillow-biter” and “pansy prig”.
The decision in the Kressley matter was made in Laws’ favour last year, but Burns lodged an appeal, which was due to be heard on Monday this week. In the case of The Block, Burns originally obtained a decision in his favour, but Laws, Price and 2UE appealed to have their defences heard, a matter which was also due to be dealt with this week.
Instead all parties have decided to settle out of court. In addition to the $10,000 donation, BGF will also benefit from a community service announcement, read by Burns on Price’s radio show, promoting the HIV/AIDS organisation’s Winter Appeal.
The settlement also includes a written apology to appear as a full-page advert in the Sydney Morning Herald within three weeks as well as remaining on the 2UE website for seven days.
Burns said he was pleased with the outcome.
“It was the biggest battle I’ve ever had in my life,” he told SX. “It’s been difficult but what I have achieved by persistence is very beneficial to the gay community.”
Bev Lange, CEO of BGF, praised Burns’ efforts.
“I think Gary’s commitment to this case and the issues that were raised and that he’s been a vanguard for and to the Luncheon Club has informed his decision to donate the $10,000 to BGF. We gratefully say ‘thank you’ and applaud his efforts; it’s been an extraordinary commitment from him”.
In related news, Tasmanian gay activist Michael Dempsey has also settled a case involving Laws and TV presenter Sam Newman.
Dempsey alleged they breached the state’s Anti Discrimination Act by inciting hatred against gay people – Laws for his remarks about Kressley and Newman because of disparaging comments made in response to a proposal by newly elected Melbourne Deputy Lord Mayor Gary Singer to make Melbourne more attractive to gay and lesbian visitors.
Dempsey said this week that a satisfactory but confidential settlement had been agreed in both cases.
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