Campaigning for re-election in a shopping mall on New South Wales Central Coast on Monday, Australian Prime Minister John Howard was taken aback when an audience member asked cheekily: "Who would you turn gay for?" Howard faced a few hecklers but was mainly warmly welcomed by the locals. But jeans shop worker Danielle surprised him by asking the question, which is often posed to guests of Rove McManus on his TV chat show. "I've got a question for you. I watch Rove, and he said to ask you..." Danielle started as Howard began to laugh nervously, "... who would you turn gay for?" Howard continued laughing but made it clear the question was inappropriate. "It's probably a little bit – no – not really ... I'm sorry," Danielle said, embarrassed. But Howard told her not to worry. "No, don't you be sorry, you're all right," he said. Howard has been accused of pandering to homophobia to win votes, and despite opinion polls showing 71% of Australians favouring equality for gay people, he is still opposed. In 2004 he passed federal legislation banning same-sex marriage and earlier this year said that HIV positive immigrants should not be allowed into the country. Australia's general election is set for 24 November. "Love me or loathe me, the Australian people know where I stand on all the major issues of importance to their future," he says.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Wednesday, 7th November 2007 - 11:08am