John Tamihere's latest comments on his Radio Live afternoon talkback programme have prompted angry responses from members of our LGBT communities. During an extensive discussion with callers on the topic of gay adoption, Tamihere accused gay couples of getting preferential treatment from adoption services, expressed concern over children witnessing two men kissing, and even made links between gays and peadophiles. Civil Union celebrant and long-time gay activist Bill Logan describes Tamihere is "a nasty failed politician trying to revive his popularity by pandering to the bully-boy element. "It is necessary to protest against this sort of vicious ranting, but we shouldn't give it too much importance," he says. "John Tamihere is a failure because the constituency for this sort of tripe is strategically insignificant right now, and shrinking". Gay central Aucklander Dennis Petrone sees Tamihere's inference that homosexuals are paedophiles is “close-minded, bigoted and incorrect. “Let's not forget that it's our heterosexual brethren that, by far, have the highest accounts of child molestation. The majority of child molestation occurs by straight males abusing females,” he says. Petrone was criticised on Tamihere's programme last September when he appeared in the New Zealand Herald with his boyfriend Isaac, shown with what the radio host described as “really wet-looking lager - that's what they drink”. On the topic of gay couples getting preferential treatment from adoption services, Petrone thinks Tamihere is right that a preference for gay couples over straight couples "with proven records", does not make sense. “When hard pressed, most liberals will agree that affirmative action - or special treatment for minorities - does not 'make sense'. “It's true, as one caller points out and Willie Jackson agrees, that children of homosexual parents may be a target for bullies. Many of my smartest - and hottest - adult friends were bullied as children. Everyone gets bullied at some stage or another and we all need to toughen up”, he asserts. “Moreover, it is, by far, a minority of homosexuals who want to adopt. They are a special breed, who is likely to be older and wealthy. Gay couples who want to adopt have thought it out. They are most likely to be in stable, long-term relationships. They are most likely to be financially comfortable. And they are most likely to have considered having a child long and hard. And let's not forget the throngs of gay men and women already raising children.” In conclusion, Petrone sends a message to the radio host. “For the record Tamihere, two men kissing is normal. Get your facts straight!” Ref: GayNZ.com (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Thursday, 8th February 2007 - 12:00pm