Ipswich radio host apologises for controversial transgender bathroom comments

A Queensland radio host criticised after saying he was uncomfortable with his daughter sharing the school bathroom with a transgender student has addressed his comments on air. HEAR THE AUDIO

An Ipswich radio host who landed himself in hot water over comments made about a 13-year-old transgender school student has addressed his comments on air today, while staff at the station have undergone “education and training” on transgender issues.

Paul “Campo” Campion from River 94.9FM’s Marnie & Campo show had said he disagreed with transgender students being able to use any bathroom they wanted. He also referred to the student’s genitalia.

Speaking about the comments today, the radio host said he did not mean to cause any offence.

“My comments were not meant to hurt anyone, they are simply a father trying to manoeuvre a changing world with his 14-year-old daughter, who is also having to understand things she knows nothing about,” said Campo.

“If you see my protection and feelings about my daughter as transphobic, there is not much I can do about that.”

The controversial topic started over a lighthearted discussion on people identifying as animals in Victoria.

Campo, who has been on the show since 2015, said he was concerned about his daughter in school who was sharing the bathroom with a transgender student.

He said he needed more education around the topic and didn’t agree with the Queensland Department of Education’s policies around transgender bathroom use.

Ipswich radio host Paul "Campo" Campion is in hot water over transphobic comments made on air

The school was not named however due to the public profile of the radio host, members of the community were concerned the child mentioned would be identifiable.

The station received complaints and Michelle Inns, founder of popular Facebook group Parents of Transgender Kids, encouraged all members to write a formal complaint.

“There is a significant level of disgust in our community for the comments made on the show about transgender children, their access to school bathrooms (a right that is enforced by Education Queensland),” Inns said.

“The discussion of a minor‘s genitalia on public radio is also extremely inappropriate.”

It is bitterly disappointing after all of the recent community backlash against transgender discrimination in our schools and political system that the radio station has allowed this kind of behaviour.

Paul “Campo” Campion from River 94.9FM’s Marnie & Campo show said he disagreed with transgender students being able to use any bathroom they wanted. Picture supplied

“People seem to assume that shared bathroom use is putting their children at risk.

“Our kids are already struggling with their bodies and are incredibly self conscious, it’s more likely they will be seeking privacy and trying to avoid conflict.”

Station general manager David Wiltshire said they reviewed the broadcast and did not breach the commercial radio code of practice.

He said however he was not dismissing the concerns and confirmed the radio station’s staff had received education and training around transgender issues.

“We agree that the discussion around transgender girls sharing changing facilities with cisgender girls should never have taken place on our broadcast,” he said.

“We agree it was clear that the announcer strongly disagreed with the Queensland Department of Education policies on transgender children.

“We are extremely disappointed that our guidelines around these topics were not followed.”

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