Melbourne, Australia
Reuters
News that Australia is to award tennis great Margaret Court the country’s highest honour next week has stoked controversy because of her views on LGBTQ+ issues including her opposition to same-sex marriage.
News that Court, who won 24 singles Grand Slam titles in her career and 40 doubles Grand Slams before retraining as a Pentecostal pastor, is reportedly to be awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia, was released on social media ahead of a strict media embargo and reported by media outlets on Friday.
Former tennis player Margaret Court attends the match between Spain’s Garbine Muguruza and Sofia Kenin of the US. PICTURE: Reuters/Hannah Mckay/File photo
That news prompted criticism of the award including from LGBTQ+ groups and two state premiers, Mark McGowan of Western Australia, and Daniel Andrews of Victoria. Andrews said he didn’t believe Court’s views “accord with the vast majority of people across our nation”.
But Court, who was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2007, told the ABC she was “sad” but not fazed by the backlash.
She said her views were based on her religious beliefs as a “minister of the Gospel”.
“I’m not going to change my opinions and views, and I think it’s very important for freedom of speech that we can say our beliefs.”
Court, who is a minister in Perth, added that it was time for people to “move on”.
She said she was honoured to learn she was to receive the award.
“I represented my nation, I always stand for my nation, and I love my nation,” she said. “I don’t think anyone will ever take that away from me, and I just appreciate it so much.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, meanwhile, said on Friday he had no “official knowledge” of Court’s award.
“It is a system that recognises the full spectrum of individuals across this country,” he said of the awards system.
The award is one of numerous awards being handed out to mark Australia Day on 26th January.
– With Reuters
