My complaint is not with Telstra, or their stupid Ad.
My complaint is with HREOC for not treating sexual preference discrimination the same as all other types.
Joe from the Telegraph took my words out of context and misrepresented what I said.
I was contacted by Joe at the Daily Telegraph about my blog. How he found it so soon, when I only started it a few weeks ago makes the mind wander off to a scary place indeed. Joe at his sticky keyboard googling anything with the word gay hoping to find someone he could publicly embarrass, so that his boss might not fire him for being a crappy blogger? After all, he does work for News Limited, what else do they have to do over there? Surely reporters have no need to write about any of these, what do you call it….news things?
I’m really grateful that Joe superimposed my picture over the tent scene. It makes me look fantastic, and scary. Here is the before and after:
I almost feel like I was in the tent with the thespians, pretending to have gay sex. I wonder if Joe considered putting a moustache on my picture too? Another time perhaps, when he is home alone.
It’s worth mentioning, I did send another picture to Joe but he chose not to use it. I think I look much better in this one:
It’s better if your Gay activists look mean, so, he picked the one he could work with, even if it did involve drawing in an imaginary jaw line where the white light managed to wash me out. What better way to make your Gay activists look bad than to cut out their pictures and superimpose them over a dark background with big angry white text. (For the record, I’m not your mate Joe, or Telstras for that matter).
I looked for a picture of Joe to see if I could return the favour, but sadly, there are only two, and they’re bad enough on there own. Here’s the best of them; I like to call him, baby Joe, cause this is as big as it gets, possibly in more ways than one.
Say hello baby joe :
He would say hello back, but he doesn’t have anything nice to say.
Now that my vanity can be swept aside, onto the issue at hand.
My blog was designed to point out the discrepancies I encountered with our Governement, specifically surrounding Government Policy on same sex marriage in Australia. I encountered a discrepancy when I attempted to make a complaint about a homophobic Telstra Commercial. I did not alert the press about my intention to complain to HREOC, and I was not after media attention. I was just wanting to complain that the ad offended me.
But I received this lovely email from Joe this morning, which made me (believe it or not) think that someone might actually care. I asked him how he found my site, he was shady on the details; “Oh, I don’t know, someone forwarded it to me.”
Here’s the email:
Hi Andrew,
It’s Joe Hildebrand from The Daily Telegraph here. I read about your experience with the Human Rights Commission and thought it would make an interesting story. Could you please call me on xxx xxx xxx when you can?
Thanks very much.
Cheers,
Joe
Joe seemed nice right? I called him, and he was lovely on the phone. He wanted to know what upset me about the Telstra Commercial, and I told him that, “What upset me is, we are only led to believe that the two men in the tent are gay because they are afraid when they get caught by their other buddies. The look of fear on their face is the reason we assume they are gay not that we saw shadowy sex through the tent. What’s worse, the characters in the ad are redeemed in the end, much to the audiences releif, when we find out that they are in fact not gay, but rather, watching sport on their cell phone.”
How funny. Sorry Graeme Innes, Commissioner of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, I still don’t get it, unless I try to think like the kind of idiot who’d want to watch anything on a mobile phone whilst paying for Telstra’s ridiculous data rates.
Joe said that my encounter with HREOC would make an interesting story, and it would be one that hopefully sparks some debate. Little did I know, that Joe would be on the opposite side of the debate, batting for the other team,as it were.
Then Joe went on his photo rant, demanding I allow a Telagraph photographer to catpure me in the moment. “We want to take a picture of you looking angry in front of a computer or something.” I explained that I could not take time off work and have my picture taken in my work uniform. I offered to send him whatever pictures I had on my computer. I did, I wish I hadn’t.
Two important Facts, that are sadly lost amongst Joe’s witless rant and my scary picture
- I did not complain to Commissioner Graeme Innes of the HREOC about the Telstra Commercial, (which as hard as I try, I still cannot find funny.)
- I complained to the HREOC that when I had attempted to complain to them about the Telstra Commercial, I was given no opportunity to complain as being gay allows me to only complain if I’m discriminated against in employment. Sexual Preference is a category of discrimination not severe enough to warrant the attention of the HREOC (unless its because you get sacked). Sexual Preference is a category of discrimination equal only to discrimination against convicted criminals, political extremists, and religious fanatics.
Here are the options you get: (click for larger version)
Now, I have to give Joe a tiny bit of credit. He did manage to pretend to be nice through an email and an entire phone call. Good Job Joe!
What did I learn, apart from the fact that News Limited continues to hire people who are both bad writers who are only good at twisting other people’s words to try to milk a story out of nothing?
I learned that these are the people who make it harder for me to gain equality and hopefully one day get married. These people are the ones who make it harder for teens coping with homosexuality to accept who they are.
17/12/2008 Permalink
You genetic inferiors will never be equal to us. You’ve been a blight on this country since you were first shipped here from Africa. Slavery was the worst thing to happen to this country, because now we’re rotting from the inside-out thanks to an overabundance of you niggers.
WHITE POWER! WHITE POWER! WHITE POWER! WHITE POWER!
16/12/2008 Permalink
its not the ’shocked look’ on their faces that makes them looks gay. its that 70’s porn moustache that makes it look gay.
dude seriously, im not a homophobe or anything, i know gay people, people have thought that im gay myself, but there are bigger problems in this world than a stupid ad.
telstra are a bunch of dicks anyway. believe me, i used to work for them. they once told me (and this is completely true) “we dont care about our customers”.
so sure, some corporation has done sumthin that makes u feel upset…it happens! thats life! learn to take it on the chin buddy!
in closing, if anyone out there does base their opinions of other groups based on what they see on tv, they are small minded morons who need to be trimmed from the herd.
16/12/2008 Permalink
Andrew,
You really need to get a sense of humour!!! If you call yourself a gay activist you have done nothing to put the gay population in a positive light. This ad would have been funny with a hetro couple or any other couple. Did you also complain about brokeback mountain?? This ad is just a bit of fun.
I support gay people and belive that they are discriminated against far to often but this is going overboard. I don’t think you have done anything positive for gay rights. You sure have opened a can of woopass though judging by the comments you have recieved
16/12/2008 Permalink
Mate, whilst your commitment to gay activism is admirable, in this case your complaints are vexatious and without substance. It is these very same complaints that trivialise homophobia, alienate the community, and provide ammunition for the bigoted and less enlightened in society. Save your outrage and sense of injustice for the issues that genuinely matter.
16/12/2008 Permalink
Without realising it, you’ve just made more money for Telstra then they ever could have made spending a billion dollars!!!
Just goes to show that without thinking, actions can have more negative impact then positive.
16/12/2008 Permalink
Get over it mate, and find yourself a bloody girl
16/12/2008 Permalink
I get it. You’re angry and hurt at a society that doesn’t always treat you the way you deserve.
However, squabbling about petty stuff like this ultimately hurts the cause and makes the general gay population look bad.
Look inside yourself and think about who you are really angry at.
As for rights: I’m 22, gay and have been with my partner for 2 years. As of 1 January 2009, thanks to the current government (that you feel doesn’t look out for you), my partner and I (and every other gay couple) will have the same rights as a straight couple.
Instead of becoming the news, read the news. A large part of the struggle has been one. The same sex laws have been changed. Yes, we still can’t get ‘married’ but you can now have all the same rights as a married couple.
Slow down for a moment and realise that things aren’t as bad as it seems. Now direct your passion, compassion and talent toward a more pressing cause like discrimination within the gay community, gay youth or HIV education.
Best of luck, i hope you find some peace
16/12/2008 Permalink
Hi Andrew,
While I defend your right to protest over something that personally offends you, I don’t necessarily agree with your comments that “we are only led to believe that the two men in the tent are gay because they are afraid when they get caught by their other buddies”. I would suggest that in these days of retrospective Calvinist morality, a hetro couple would be depicted as being just as mortified at the prospect of being caught. (God God – Sex? No thank you, we’re quasi-American.)
However, I think your message has been lost among the reported hoopla over your distaste for the ad, and that should be highlighted. Gay, lesbian, bi, and/or transgender individuals should all have as much right as their ‘hetro’ counterparts for legal recognition of a committed and ongoing relationship with another. Australia does not legally discriminate against those who get their satisfaction from B&D, S&M, vinyl fetishes, or any other sexual peccadillos (well, not yet, anyway), yet these are predilections rather than a congenital disposition. The exception to this is pedophilia, and I am yet to meet any right-minded GLBTG or hetro person who disagrees with this delineation.
BTW, for those who may feel that I have a vested interest in the ultimate outcome for equality across all gender preferences – well, maybe you’re right. I’m one of those boring ‘hetro’ types. Female, 46 y.o., happily married, two kids, non-swinger, no interesting fetishes to report, yadda, yadda, yadda… But, both my (50 y.o. cop) partner and I believe that we have a responsibility to uphold the rights of those who may have different preferences – to protect the integrity and humanity of our friends, family members, and associates who may or may not identify as ‘deviating from the norm’ of sexual identification.
And so, Andrew – all power to you – go for it!
16/12/2008 Permalink
You’re cute!
16/12/2008 Permalink
You have a right to your opinion as do others.
I am a white anglo, hetro male and am in the only group of people in this country that does not have special laws assigned to them. Get a grip mate, it is a tougue in cheek advertisement and is along the lines of many other ads that take the piss out of any other group of people in this country.
It is the constant whinging from people like yourself about political correctness that is killing this fantastic country we live in. I personally don’t give a rats arse if you are gay, have purple skin or wear a turban. We all have the right to be heard, the right not to be persecuted, the right to live under the laws of this land. Your complaint makes this a weaker country.
Have a cup of concrete and harden up.
16/12/2008 Permalink
Hang in there, Andrew. You’re as entitled to your view as everyone else, and you certainly don’t deserve the treatment you’re getting here or in the Telegraph. If that really is 2UE above, think about finding some media help before calling them back.
You’re gonna come out of this with a great submission for the charter of rights consultation.
Good luck,
Jim
16/12/2008 Permalink
You have every right to complain without attracting personal insults by those unwilling to accept homophobia in all it’s forms. Just because others do not appreciate the depth of your concern does not give them the right to hurl abuse without having undertsood the issues which creates prejudice capable of generating violence, which is exactly what all those comments abusing you achieve. To you I say thanks for speaking out against the very lack of action which perpetuates a society intolerant of gay differences. To those so willing to personally attack you for it I say please listen to yourself and ask where is your anger really coming from.
16/12/2008 Permalink
Complain much? Fucking sook, get over it
Youre gay, we get it…I have no issues with gay people, i have an issue with whinging idiots like you
Grow up and get over it dickhead
16/12/2008 Permalink
Sorry girlfriend but you need to focus on issues – How ’bout you get some treatment for whatever it is has got your back up and leave the politics to people that actually understand the world around them. You have not been vilified your just emo-gay. Lighten up princess
16/12/2008 Permalink
You must see these comments from the Courier Mail. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24806974-952,00.html
You’d expect that from their readership. I personally see nothing wrong with the ad. Could you stop being so litigious and insulated? Australia and indeed the world have far more pressing enviro and humanitarian issues. I’m all for gay marriage and equal rights…. but your petty issue of which only seems to affect you is not helping the cause. Just give it up before you can’t climb from the hole you have dug.
16/12/2008 Permalink
I hereby retract my previous comments and the name that I used. I did not intend for there to be any ill feeling.
My sincerest apologies,
Ray Price
16/12/2008 Permalink
It must be hard having things taken out of context but my word did you pick a strange fight.
It is utterly unacceptable that gay marriage is not legal, but why on earth would you not find the advert funny? Isn’t it good that we now live in a society where we can have a laugh?
If I went camping and caught mates having sex i would laugh at them whether two blokes, two women or straight- getting caught having sex by your mates is funny.
16/12/2008 Permalink
You are a tnuc!!
16/12/2008 Permalink
You are a wanker!!
16/12/2008 Permalink
You are a dead set loser, you are doing far more damage to the cause than good. There are a lot of commercials i do not like and feel they can make me uncomfortable, but when i step back I have the commonsense to realise that they may and do suite other peoples sense of humour. If you had your way, what a miserable boring world it would be. Stop acting like a bitter fool and realise that taking the piss is an Australian way of life and with it brings acceptance from the greater community as it shows there is nothing to hide or feel embarrassed about, have a good laugh with people and move on instead of giving the red necks more ammo with such ridiculous poorly thought out rubbish. The only out come of such stupidity is that when real issues come up, everyone will have stoped listening.
16/12/2008 Permalink
Good for you for being passionate about your rights. I hope you have taken away something from your experience. “News” is about selling ads, not writing the truth. It is nothing more that idol gossip in print. You already acknowledge that news.com.au is not exactly hard hitting reporting. Take a look at what it’s really all about – search for their advertising rates.
16/12/2008 Permalink
Andrew,
Please call me on 0411 827 735,
Thanks (mate),
Ben Fordham.
16/12/2008 Permalink
Really queen this is too much.
I showed this to my boyfriend last night and you really need to get out more. this is inane. I really take offence at one queen “speaking” on behalf of all gay people.Gary burns also does this without community permission. whom asked either of you to be our spokespersons. just because you like the same sex does not automagically qualify you to speak for the many !!1
how about shutting up. some of us do not want MARRIAGE but equality before the law. for all your chest beating how about doing something with impact. HIV education / depression assistance / drug counselling. ALL ISSUES within the gay community that should be addressed better than they currently are.
In other words “sister’ get over yourself and live a litte.
marcus
16/12/2008 Permalink
Oh man you really need to get a life! Its a tv commercial that has nothing to do with anyone being gay! Seriously, you must have better things to do with your time than wasting it on this and trying to discredit a reporter that has done nothing wrong to you.
I can’t believe I just wasted 5 minutes of my life reading this rubbish
16/12/2008 Permalink
Where do i start? I don’t know but i know I’m choosing my words carefully as you sound like the kind of person who’d have me up in front of a tribunal or sue me for some bullshit reason. You seriously need to get a life. You remind me of Mrs Mangel trapped in an angry young gay man. You think you are helping but i promise you, you are doing far more harm than good, by a long way. Your beef with the ad is pathetic. Get over it. You are hurting gay people everywhere who occasionally have something legitimate to complain about by tying up our government departments and watchdogs with utter rubbish such as your problem with the Telstra ad. The fact “you don’t get it” just makes you an idiot. Nothing more nothing less. You are too stupid, spineless and petty to run a site like this. Leave it too the big boys. Go out, meet a guy, and then go get a tent!
16/12/2008 Permalink
Hey sweetie pie, hang in there. This is a shocker. I know what your intentions were when you set this up, it appears to have been lost in the hoopla. You blog is thoughtful and insightful.
Lots of love,
Melissa
16/12/2008 Permalink
You are an idiot.
This commercial would have been just as effective had it featured a heterosexual couple. The idea of two friends hiding away in a tent while everyone else thinks they are getting it on is the same regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
Grow up and learn something before you start your ill-advised campaigns, you have just put gay rights back by 20 years.
Bloody know it all kids.
16/12/2008 Permalink
are you f*n serious? all i remember from that rant was ‘complain’ ‘complain’ complain’…. yer get a sense of humour and stop trying to be the victim… you are the reason that gays are not liked…