'Anti-gay, go away!'

'Anti-gay, go away!'

By Joy McEntee

HOBART — Anti-gay, anti-choice campaigner Fred Nile was confronted by 50 angry protesters from Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group and Women's Action Group when he arrived at the airport here on February 20.

Apparently rattled by the non-violent demonstration, Nile cancelled his scheduled press conference and fled the airport, followed by the protesters, who chanted, "Anti-Gay, Go Away! Go Home Fred!"

Later that evening, he spoke at a sparsely attended public meeting in Hobart's town hall, where he launched the electoral campaigns of local "Call to Australia" candidates.

Well over a third of the crowd was made up of gay and women's rights supporters who walked out in disgust when the organisers insisted on allowing only written, vetted questions to be presented to Nile and the candidates.

Craig Duke from Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Groups aid: "The rally and the Town Hall meeting provided an excellent opportunity to voice concerns and thoughts that need to be heard".

From GLW issue 90