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Ron Wilson brands Mardi Gras “disgusting”

Updated: TEN News presenter Ron Wilson apologises for comments made during an interview with Mardi Gras co-chair Peter Urmson.

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TEN News presenter Ron Wilson today branded elements of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade “disgusting” during an interview with New Mardi Gras co-chair Peter Urmson.

“Some of the spectacles you’re seeing, I’m assuming would even make you cringe,” he said. “It becomes an exploitation almost of a sexual image rather than trying to explore the diversity of lifestyle.”

“Our community is extremely colourful, and we celebrate our diversity through-” began Urmson.

“With respect, there’s a difference between colourful and disgusting, in some cases,” Wilson interrupted.

“I don’t think I would necessarily agree that any of it was disgusting, though,” replied Urmson.

“This year it was very flamboyant.”

Wilson disagreed, saying that some of the Parade “crossed the line.” His editorial seemed to contradict other elements of the interview that acknowledged a wider acceptance of homosexuality as well as screening clips from the “Say Something” campaign.

But his comments have already sparked a reaction on Facebook and Twitter.

Updated: A TEN spokesperson told TV Tonight

“TEN Morning News featured 8 minutes of overwhelmingly positive coverage of Mardi Gras. Ron Wilson congratulated organisers on the success of the 2011 event.

“One small section of the interview raised a question about behaviour by some participants. The phrasing might not have been ideal, and TEN apologises if any viewers took offence.

“However, it is not unreasonable for alternative views to be put to organisers and the interview talent agreed that while he didn’t hold the view, some sections of society may.”

UPDATE 2: Ron Wilson has since said, “As a journalist my job is to present an issue from different perspectives. If anyone took offence at anything I said during the interview I apologise. I fully support the gay community in its campaign to promote the issue of gay marriage and I congratulate the gay and lesbian community on the success of Mardi Gras.”

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmqaCQM90aQ[/youtube]

UPDATE 3: apology

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpn_9eeqpQA[/youtube]

96 Responses

  1. @ jdjockey, i agree with you my friend and I play for the same team too !

    As for the Mardi Gras, I’ve been once and don’t feel the urge to do it again but then I’m not an Oxford St scene type of gay guy either.

    1. A reminder to readers to comply with Comments Policy: “Comments which discriminate or attack based on gender, race, religion, age, sexual orientation, physical appearance and similar may not be approved.”

      The topic can be debated without resorting to insults and attacks please.

  3. I think the majority of Ten’s 16-39 demographic (that they apparently care most about and make their money from) might disagree with Ron Wilson’s “opinion”!

  5. I would have to agree with Ron Wilson. I don’t believe he was calling the event nor the sexuality disgusting but referring to the fact that the gay community sometimes really does over do it and go beyond celebrating their lifestyle. It would seem at time it becomes more of a sexuality flauntation rather than a celebration.

    For the record, I am a Gay Male.

  6. As a gay man i have to say that i understand where Ron is coming from, Its not helping the gay community fix the all the gay hate with some of the under dressed, Girly display in the Mardi gra, Its kind of gives the impression that all gays act like that as well, not true.

  7. Wilson’s job is to read teh autocue and interview. Not editorialize. Who care’s what his opinion is? He should go back to Kenhurst and breed some more lamas! What a silly old fool.

  9. Oh Ron, if only you read read the news for many years in some hick state like QLD or SA but you’ve been in reading it in Sydney for how long now?

  10. Some of the imagery to a mainstream audience does verge on “disgusting” because of the highly charged sexual nature of “some” imagery. This would be the exact same description if hetrosexuals were flashing their wares……show hetro soft porn the my grandma and she would describe it as disgusting….I don’t think he was being homophobic. Having said that unfortunate choice of word….

  11. Right on, he makes a good point. I am all for equality and tolerance and I have nothing against gays (I am particularly pro-lesbian), but there’s a difference between celebration of gay men and public lude disgusting conduct from men.

  12. I suppose with Ten’s news ratings going south the way they are, Ron Wilson will do or say anything to draw attention to their ‘product’. A sign of desperation!

  13. Did he mean disgusting by the nudity that was shown at the parade? Because some of the images I seen were revolting. Plus Mr Wilson in the past has said he supports gay marriage

  14. Good on Ron Wilson for making those comments, I say. There has to be some sort of alternative view other than the leftist pro-gay views from the rest of the television media here in Australia, and Ron provided it. I cringed whenever I watched a story on the Mardi Gras and wanted to change channels or turn off the TV whenever a story like that came up.

    To be honest, it wasn’t a surprising comment as Ron comes from a Christian background as he claimed in his last interview with someone involved in the Gay and Lesbian community.

    I’m not a Christian in any way, but I’m of the same view as Ron Wilson on this occasion. Well done Ron 🙂

  15. as a gay man i find elements of the mardi gras to be distastefull as well. it reinforces stereotypes that the public have and i dont like to be represented by this parade. the say something campaign was tastefully done though

  16. “Celebrating diversity” means that you have to accept a diverse range of opinions as well. There are definitely sights that are not suitable for minors. Celebrating diversity in skimpy outfits? Showing bits of naked flesh. No, that’s not celebrating diversity, that’s soft core porn. However, that is what we expect from the Mardi Gras, so I believe there’s no point in bringing up this aspect.

  17. I saw this and thought to myself “did he just say that” I’m hoping he was just being the devils advocate. If not shame on you Rod Wilson. Congrats to Urmson for remaining dignified throughout.

  19. I think what is most disappointing was that Mr. Wilson makes the comment but does not explain what he thought was disgusting or over the line. He has every right to his opinions, but he needs to do more than just make blanket statements like he did. Also while he may have been disgusted, thousands apparently weren’t (I heard no negative comments about the parade content in the crowd near me – although once again there was an issue in long gaps between floats). Maybe Mr Wilson needs to realise that there are many things in life (and on television) that individuals may personally find somewhat offensive but that doesn’t make them inherently disgusting or offensive to the community at large.

  21. Ron Wilson presents war stories, crime sprees, car crashes and natural disasters on a nightly basis yet he finds a parade celebrating love and diversity disgusting?
    He really needs to adjust his disgustometer.

  24. If he feels some aspects of the parade are disgusting he is free to express his thoughts. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea and I think we still have freedom of thought in this country. Don’t we?

  25. Surprising comments from Mr. Wilson. Sad that he seems to think that way.

    Mardi Gras is all about celebrating diversity and I thought Saturday’s parade did just that.

    Very disappointing comments indeed.

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