News 
Roberts to fight Nine in court
Roberts to fight Nine in court
| Roberts to fight Nine in court |
| Written by Peter Hackney |
| Monday, 01 February 2010 16:40 |
 NRL football legend Ian Roberts has signed on as a co-complainant in legal action against Channel Nine over a gay skit on The Footy Show.The footballer-turned-actor told SX today that he had agreed to be a co-signatory to gay activist Gary Burns’ court action against the Nine Network, and would do whatever it takes to ensure Nine makes reparations for the “homophobic” Footy Show skit which continues to plague the network. The news means openly-gay Roberts will testify against Nine in the upcoming Administrative Decisions Tribunal court case, which could be heard as early as June. “I’ve signed on with Gary, that was always my intention, and I’m willing to do whatever I can to make sure Channel Nine and The Footy Show don’t get away with this,” Roberts told SX. “The Footy Show belittled and degraded gay kids and effeminate kids in that disgusting skit, and they dragged my name into it, and I'm not going to let that pass,” he said. The skit in question, which aired on May 7 last year, featured a fictitious gay brother of troubled NRL siblings Andrew and Matthew Johns, called ‘Elton Johns’. “I want to return this," said Johns’ father Gary in the skit. “It’s faulty.” Elton Johns, portrayed by Matthew Johns, said: “Dad only knew I was gay when he walked in on me and my boyfriend Ian (Roberts).” Describing his outrage, Roberts said The Footy Show had struck at the heart of his values by involving him in the skit. “How fucking dare they drag me into something that degrades and belittles gay people,” he told SX. “This really goes to the heart of what I’m about, I see everyone as equal, and it’s just fucking disgusting to send a message to gay kids, or kids who are different, that they are faulty. And then to name-check me in it just makes me sick,” said Roberts. “That’s why I feel so strongly about this, and I’ll front up to court and see it through. “Channel Nine will not get away with this, I promise you.” Burns, meanwhile, released to SX the statement he intends to read in court. In the statement, Burns stressed that he wanted the matter remedied in the public interest, and was not seeking any personal recompense. “I have decided that if I am awarded damages, I will donate part of them to the Luncheon Club Aids Support Group, a registered charity which operates services for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS,” said Burns. “The rest I will donate to the Twenty10 youth group, a charity that assists gay, lesbian, transsexual and bi youth find structure in their lives. “I am not seeking any personal recompense. I have acted in the broader public interest at all times throughout this complaint in promoting tolerance and understanding for homosexual males.” Burns added that Nine was out of keeping with the times by portraying gay people as inferior. “This is not 1956,” said the activist. “Bette Davis is not strutting across the silver screen, chain smoking. She is dead.” Kiah Wood, Corporate Counsel for Channel Nine, refused to comment when contacted by SX, as did the Executive Producer of The Footy Show, whose name is, bizarrely, also Gary Burns.
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email This
Comments (3)
...
written by shayne chester , February 02, 2010 Thank you AB, Gary and I talked earlier and 'agreed to disagree.' At least, that's what I think we did. Naturally I'll continue to support him, as I do many causes that are important to me. But obviously I cannot take a stand in a case that shows tacit support for those who exploit our most vulnerable. There are many battles to be fought on many different fronts to make this a healthier and stronger community.  report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: -1
dilemma, Shayne
written by Andrew Brougham , February 02, 2010 I sympathise with your dilemma Shayne. I have always stood behind Gary Burns’ efforts but this one conflicts with one of your own. It would seem quite inappropriate to appear as witness to a cause which will financially serve BGF which is under community question right now concerning unanswered questions about its mismanagement of finances and unpublicised client cutbacks. Until clarity is reached, this top-heavy firm is a bad choice of delivery for Burns’ potential winnings. I think, Shayne, that your social conscience is imperative here: would you rather boost one man’s PR profile or support a whole marginalised group in our community. Andrew Brougham www.kioaia.net report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
...
written by shayne chester , February 02, 2010 Good on Burns and Roberts for having the balls to take a stand. I think we should always stand against homophobia whenever we encounter it, as hate speech becomes hate crime. I've also been asked to stand as witness in this case, which puts me in a difficult position, seeing that half of any proceeds may be pledged to the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, the subject of much controversy lately. I find it very sad that BGF's financial statement shows that only 18 cents in the dollar raised from charities actually went to helping their clients. And changes announced late last year will see even less support for the HIV+. Instead of real help with real needs, they will be offered 'reskilling' and 'potential maximising' workshops. Most BGF clients are on the DSP because Centrelink has already decided they are unable to work, they don't need reskilling. They need bread on the table, they need help with their medication bills (also stopped last year) and they need less patronising bullshit. report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +1
Write comment
You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed