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.
- Published by David Knox
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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]
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- Tagged with Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, TEN News
96 Responses
I dont see any big deal. By all means, have a good time and enjoy yourself but theres no need to make sexual moves towards people around you. Walking up to TV cameras and pulling your pants down or removing clothing is not on and that’s what I believe Ron meant in saying “disgusting”.
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Doesn’t leave much to talk about…………
I agree with Ten’s response. When I first read the headline, I was surprised and disppointed that Ron, who I always thought was a pretty nice guy, would say something like that. Upon actually watching the video, though, I have to say Ron was respectful and professional for the most part. That one comment was his personal opinion, and not surprising for someone his age, but he then pulled back and continued on track. In terms of homophobia, this doesn’t even register to me.
@Armchair Analyst.
To try to answer your question, (and I don’t care about the substance of Wilson’s comment one way or the other) it’s not so much a case of political correctness as it is of who made the comment. Newsreader/interviewers have a duty to ask the questions but keep their personal opinions out of it. He’s paid to read the news and/or ask questions. He’s supposed to maintain impartiality and imbias.
He’s meant to say: “many thought it disgusting”, or “some found it disgusting”.
If Wilson wants to offer his opinions he should ask for his own show, “The Ron Wilson Shock Hour – Australia’s “Bill O’Reilly”, where he can bang on for as long as he likes about whatever he likes.
By the way, there is a place for political correctness – David Knox (and all of us) use it daily to stop people giving offence to others, otherwise I’d tell you what I think of you for calling Australians weak and thin-skinned.
I am a 53 yo gay guy that has been out for years and i have never agreed with the mardi gras as this isnt how i live my life – and because of it people think i do
I’m 22 and gay (although that shouldn’t make a difference)
I agree that he is able to have an opinion, it’s a free country and that’s proven with Mardi Gras!
Although there are lewd aspects of the parade, is this anything new? Mardi Gras has always pushed the envelope. If it’s not your thing, then you don’t have to watch it. Simple.
Next topic darlings haha
The interesting part about his comment is that he said ‘some of the things we are seeing here’…. while the footage being shown, showed nothing lewd or even slightly outrageous…. Hmmm last I checked people with their shirts off isn’t exactly disguting…Please explain your inciteful (sic) comment further.
Haven’t you seen the Mardi Gras is Brasil… not much clothing there either you prudish fool.
I was disappointed a few weeks back when you interviewed the gentleman on gay marriage and you felt it necessary to enforce your so called Christian views then. No one cares one iota about what you think…
You’re not a journalist Ron, you’re a talking head. No opinion necessary.
Why is it when a news reader or anyone in the media or public eye makes a small honest comment (in an overall positive interview) which he believes in, that others want to shoot him down and critisize him for it. In my opinion this is political correctness rearing its ugly head yet again. In my opinion we are fast becoming a nation of weaklings and thin skinned and overblowing every little thing these days. Ron was just trying to be honest thats all, apparently australia can’t take honesty anymore shame.
Lol. Why do they have to act like fools, that’s what i say! Go Ron!
@Josh lol that is nasty!
Really saddened to hear Ron’s comments and the way he said them. It sounded a bit passive aggressive to me.
Still pleased that they gave the New Mardi Gras Co-Chair quite a bit of interview time. Most networks just cover Mardi Gras as a ‘colour and movement’ story at the end of a news bulletin.
I thought the mardi gras was all about being happy about who you are. being equal to others in a multicultural and understanding society. The man should just keep quiet to himself.
This would’ve come out if Australia was trying to increase its populations. That’s why everyone is coming to Australia affecting its global market, recession, unemployment etc. Blame the government in the first place.
Ron Wilson was just doing his job and his guest could’ve answered the question more appropriately.
I agree with Steven Guy, Brian, Barry Saunders, Ashton, Jezza etc …
I’ve been gay for many, many years and, apart from one visit to Mardi Gras, many years ago, I don’t like it … it does not represent the “average” gay Aussie well at all, just the extremist, exhibitionist minority that always seem to shout the loudest … most of us have our quiet life in the suburbs, living lives which are just as “normal” as any other couple in the neighbourhood … but we will never get that accross at an event like this …
It always ends up being about sex, drugs and rebellion when the media are done with it … and this is a huge injustice to all of us. I am very comfortable and proud of who I am but i am not proud of Mardi Gras and embarassed by how it is overrun by excess and extremists.
It is just the same old, same old … it needs to go back to the protest that it began as!
Well Ron Wilson behaves like a horny teenager when he crosses to The Circle after his morning news.He flirts and acts all boyish when talking to Chrissie Swan,l find that disgusting.He is only a bloody newsreader and should not be adding his personal comments any interview he does.Channel TEN should retire him.
I neither agree nor disagree with the substance of Wilson’s comment, but I fervently support @Sal & Julian below, who like me yearn for the old days when a newsreader read the autocue in a monotone for 15-odd minutes (plus commercials), pocketed $500k per year and went home to the trophy wife/hubby.
Why must we tolerate comments, nods, “mmmm”‘s and faux mateship using the weatherman’s nickname etc. Modern TV presenters are so dreadfully unprofessional – they’ve no gravitas left at all.
Mr Wilson, If you learn one thing from this beat-up it’s that nobody wants to know what you think, just read the frigging news!
I listened to the interview and must say I agree with Ron Wilson. It was a well thought out interview with great questions. If you watched Mardi Gras on Foxtel – some bits in the parade are just down right inappropriate – and I’m gay, I don’t know anyone who behaves like that in public. It is certainly not a place for children. I think Mardi Gras should stop or censor some of the grotesque nudity.
I would describe some of the floats’ themes as disgusting whether they were straight or gay – it’s not about the sexuality of the people in the floats, it’s about the sort of thing they are putting out there for all to see
Ron Wilson wasn’t saying homosexuality is disgusting, just some of the behaviour. The issues are being confused.
Try this: I’m a straight male (I know shocking hey?), and lets say the way I like to express my sexuality is to suck someone’s toes after they’ve walked in high heels all day.
In summer.
The sole of the heel is leather.
Naaaaaasty right? But if someone said that is disgusting, they don’t get accused of being a heterophobe right?
(note, I don’t suck toes, it’s just the weirdest thing I could think of in a rush. Don’t psychoanalyse me :P)
As a gay man I strongly agree with Ron Wilson. The mardi gras promotes all the stereotypes that made it so difficult for me to come to terms with my sexuality and “come out”. Not all gay men are like the ones dancing around in the streets. I can understand why a lot of straight people are homophobic with the impression given by the parade.
Well, I gotta say, I agree with Ron about this. The G & L Mardi Gras ain’t my cup of Twinings, either, and personally, I think the parade crossed the line into distasteful, crude and lewd a long time ago. Ron Wilson is allowed to state his negative views about it, just as people who love it are allowed to state their point of view.
If he was referring to the mess that was left all over the streets the next morning; empty beer bottles lying everywhere, MacDonalds bags strewn through the streets – in areas that were 2 blocks away from the parade route, then yes I agree it was disgusting.
Ron Wilson should immediately move to the 6.30pm Sydney News. This is the kind of stuff Ten needs in prime time to make their evening news relevant. Love the controversy.
Agree with him 100%,you only had to see a clip of the 2 clowns dressed up as Abbott and Gillard and their ‘gutter antics’ to see where he’s coming from. Any other time of the year they would of been arrested for doing the same in public.
I don’t see why people are having a big go. Did Ron Wilson say something that was offensive? Are we afraid of judgments like the one he made? Is there a chance that he is right?