Margaret Court accused gay lobby of intimidation, bullying
AUSTRALIA’S greatest female tennis player, Margaret Court, has defied a volley of criticism of her stance against same-sex marriage, accusing the gay lobby of intimidation and persecution.
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AUSTRALIA’S greatest female tennis player, Margaret Court, has defied a volley of criticism of her stance against same-sex marriage, accusing the gay lobby of intimidation and persecution.
Court said that the Bible dictated that marriage was between a man and a woman and “I’m just saying what God says”.
And the Christian pastor, 74, said her name should not be removed from Margaret Court Arena simply because she had aired an opinion, and those calling for this were bullies.
“People have their views. And I think, right across the nation, any Christian or anyone who is standing up about the values of marriage or anything is getting slammed in this country,” she said.
“I think we’re getting bullied, and I think it’s been a bit too one-way, and we haven’t been able to say why we believe marriage is between a man and a woman. At the moment it’s like nobody can say anything. We’re getting persecuted. We’re getting bullied because we do free speech,” Court said.
The tennis legend has been the subject of worldwide criticism following her initial comments on Thursday that she would boycott Qantas as a protest against the airline’s support for same-sex marriage.
Fellow legend Martina Navratilova said Court’s name should be removed from the arena at Melbourne Park.
Arena operator Melbourne and Olympic Parks said it did not support her comments.
But Court last night said her name should not be removed from the arena.
“It’s very sad that they are bringing my tennis into it. This is why I say it’s become ... bullying,” she told Channel 10.
“I don't think they should, and I don’t think most of the public of Australia think they should. I don’t think you should bring my tennis into it.”
Related: Rocker calls out Court on gay marriage stance
“I have my views and I can express my views just like gay people expressing their views,” Court said.
“I think it’s important we do have that freedom of speech.”
She added that people should read the first two chapters of the Bible.
“I don’t mind what homosexuals do,” she said.
“Just don’t touch marriage: it’s a covenant between a man and a woman.
“God ordained it for children to have a mum and a dad and I think it’s very important for people to understand that.”
Olympic swimming champion Dawn Fraser said she did not agree with Court’s stance but Court’s name should not be removed from the arena.
“She has been a great sportswoman and I don’t think they should rename just because of what she has said. She is entitled to her opinion,” she told the Herald Sun.
“I think it’s a silly comment, but let’s get on with it.”
The furore began when Court penned an open letter to a newspaper in which she criticised Qantas for campaigning for same-sex marriage, writing: “Your statement leaves me no option but to use other airlines (where) possible for my extensive travelling.”
Actor Jessica McNamee, who plays Court in upcoming film Battle of the Sexes, said she did not understand why same-sex marriage was so controversial: “This ‘Margaret Court’ believes in marriage equality and (in) any corporation that does the same.”
Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett did not agree with Court’s comments but said she did not deserve to be pilloried for simply expressing her opinion. He also slammed suggestions to rename the arena.
“If anyone in a position of power gives in to those demands, God help the rest of us — it’s a non-negotiable,” he said.
“She’s recognised because of her performance.”
Sport Minister John Eren said her comments were “out of tune” but the arena’s name would not be changed.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also dismissed calls to rename the arena.
“The Margaret Court Arena celebrates Margaret Court the tennis player,” he told 3AW.
Openly gay local tennis player Casey Dellacqua said: “Margaret. Enough is enough.”
Tennis Australia said Court’s comments on same-sex marriage did not align with its values of “equality, inclusion and diversity”.
Tennis great back in the limelight
MARGARET Court is Australia’s greatest tennis player and has used her platform to stir one of the nation’s biggest debates.
And it’s not the first time the former world No.1 tennis ace has courted controversy for her views on gay marriage.
Born in 1942 in the border town of Albury, NSW, Court was thrust into the limelight at just 17, when she took out the singles title at the 1960 Australian Championships.
She would go on to win 64 grand slam events — more than any other player in history — including 24 singles, 19 doubles and 21 mixed doubles.
It was after her acclaimed career, from which she retired in 1977, that Court first attended a Bible school in the early 1980s. There, she claimed, she was healed from depression and heart problems.
Less than a decade after walking into that first Bible school session, she was ordained as a Christian pastor in 1991, then founded the Victory Life Centre, a Perth church with an aim to “take this city and nation for Jesus”.
In her new role as a pastor, Court began expressing her views on same-sex marriage.
In a speech to federal parliament in 1994, she proclaimed that homosexuality and abortion were “an abomination to the Lord”.
She would go on to claim that homosexuality was the result of sexual abuse, that a person’s sexuality was a choice and same-sex marriage was “unhealthy” and “unnatural”. Court accused lesbians of ruining tennis, sparking backlash from gay players Martina Navratilova — who has condemned Court’s recent anti-gay remarks — and rival and former No.1 Billie Jean King.
Despite their difference in views, King backed Court and called for a stadium to be named in her honour during a rare visit in the early 2000s.
Just one year on, in 2002, King — a gender equality activist — would get her wish.
Melbourne Park’s court one, the third-biggest at the Australian Open venue, was renamed Margaret Court Arena. “It’s a great honour and I’m thrilled,” Court said at the time. “I think it will be a great statement for women’s tennis.”
And five years ago, King supported Court again when her views on homosexuality sparked calls to remove her name from Melbourne Park.
“Just because you don’t agree with someone?” King said in 2012. “Please. She deserves it. She’s a great player.”
- Ashley Argoon
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