Australian Christian Lobby gathers donations for Margaret Court ad blitz

The ACL is rallying its followers ahead of Margaret Court’s Australian Open appearance after controversial sermon.

Margaret Court during her sermon on Sunday. Picture: YouTube

The Australian Christian Lobby is rallying its followers to donate as much as $2500 to fund an advertising campaign in support of Margaret Court ahead of her appearance at the Australian Open.

Court, who will be feted at the Melbourne event in celebration of the 50th anniversary of her grand slam year, is a “voice for truth” who is “being silenced”, according to the ACL.

Now a pastor, Court sparked controversy this week when she said in a sermon that trans­gender athletes were causing “so many problems” in sport, adding LGBT messaging in schools was the work “of the devil”.

More than 18,000 people have signed a petition on the ACL website to show they are “among the millions of Australians who are proud to stand with you”, while also thanking Court for her “boldness, despite overwhelming pressure, in speaking God’s truth and standing with Christ as a public figure and Aussie icon”.

The petition will be presented to the 77-year-old during the tournament.

Court told The Australian on Tuesday she was aware the ACL planned a petition in support of her but not that it would have a fundraising element.

“I didn’t know anything about the money side … none of that money is for me,” she said.

After signatories’ details are collected via the petition form, they are directed to another page, where donations between $50 and $2500 are suggested.

“Christian voices for truth in the public square are essential for a flourishing society, but the radical anti-truth agenda would see you silenced along with ­people like Margaret Court,” a message from ACL managing ­director Martyn Iles reads.

Margaret Court in 1962.

“However small or big, your gift will make a powerful impact, and it’s needed today. Here’s why … In January 2020, Mar­garet will be accepting honours for her illustrious career. But with all of Australia watching, we must make it clear just how many ­voices are supporting her.

“Your special gift will fund strategic messaging and advertising to ensure that as many people as possible can stand ­behind her at this critical time.”

Court said in her sermon at the Victory Life centre in Perth’s Osborne Park that it was like “opening a can of worms” if she shared publicly “what the Bible says”.

“My goodness, you’ve let a torpedo off or something. No, it’s true, because they hate the word of God. Even that LGBT and the schools — it’s of the devil, it’s not of God,” Court said on Sunday.

“No, if you are a Christian and you believe the word of God, this is our TV guide to life, our road map to success. And you know with that LGBT, they’ll wish they never put the T on the end of it because, particularly in women’s sports, they’re going to have so many problems.

“And you have got young people taking hormones and having changes. By the time they are 17 they are thinking, ‘Now I’m a boy and really I was a girl.’ ”