Jeff Kennett
From Pinkboard Wiki
| The Honourable Jeff Kennett AC | |
|---|---|
| Of | beyondblue |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Born | 2 March 1948 |
- For more information on Jeff Kennett see Wikipedia.
Jeff Kennett was the Premier of Victoria from 6 October 1992 to 20 October 1999 for the Liberal Party.
In 2000 Kennett became the inaugural chairman of beyondblue (the National Depression Initiative). In 2008 he announced that he would be stepping down from his role at beyondblue at the end of 2010. This did not happen.
Homophobia
During his tenure at beyondblue he made a number of homophobic comments. This is particularly concerning to the GLBTQ community due to the high proportion of young men and women who commit suicide because of their sexuality and issues around their sexuality.
In July 2008 he made comments supporting the sacking of Ken Campagnolo by Bonnie Doon Football Club:
|
The club felt that once this had been pointed out and you had this gentleman there who was obviously close to young men - massaging young men - it ran an unnecessary risk and that's why it decided it was best that he not perform those duties again. So the club was trying to do the right thing. ... When you are in charge of a group of young boys, as this club was as I understand it, it's got to make sure. ... It's the same if you have a pedophile there as a masseur, right? |
This statement perpetuates many myths about homosexuality, including that it is the same as paedophilia. Gary Burns pursued an action against Kennett[2], but it was dropped due to lack of funds. [3] [4]
On 9 September, 2011 Jeff Kennett published an article in the Herald Sun claiming that "There is no substitute for parents of both genders. Happy heterosexual marriages are the best environment for the mental health of children."[5] This was based on the report For Kids' Sake by Professor Patrick Parkinson commissioned by the Australian Christial Lobby. While the article does not mention same sex parents it repeatedly mentions opposite sex marriages. Professor Parkinson said "The report was nothing to do with the current same-sex marriage debate," [6] though this has been disputed. A rebuttal was posted by beyondblue. [7][6]
References
- ↑ Jeff kennett gay storm Sunday Herald Sun July 27, 2008
- ↑ Activist to sue Kennett over gay remark Sydney Morning Herald 16 October, 2008
- ↑ Jeff Kennett 'anti-gay' complaint The Australian 8 September, 2009
- ↑ Gay activist drops case against Kennett Sydney Morning Herald 8 September, 2009
- ↑ Children need mum and dad for best mental health by Jeff Kennett, Herald Sun 9 September, 2011
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Time to walk away from beyondblue Mr Kennett by Doug Pollard, The Drum Opinion 29 September 2011
- ↑ Cannot find this on the beyondblue website
