Gay rights activists plan to stage a protest at the Australian
Open following comments from championship winning tennis player,
Margaret Court.
They plan to raise hundreds of rainbow flags in the Margaret
Court Arena and protest co-ordinator Doug Pollard is urging people
to wear rainbow colours to the event each day.
He told Adelaide Now: "We just want to say that we don't agree
with all the lies Margaret Court has been peddling. People think
that she has got away with it for too long and have heard enough of
her trading in on her tennis halo."
Court made comments last month opposing gay marriage and has
said she has no reservations about attending the open despite the
protest plans.
Tournament director Craig Tiley has said: ''Tennis
Australia does not share that view and believes everyone should be
treated equally and fairly.
"People have every right to express their views and that
extends to those who want to attend the tennis on Monday and wear
the rainbow colours. Indeed we embrace their right to do so. We do
remind though, that we are running a Grand Slam tennis event and as
such are conscious of ensuring there is no disruption to play or to
the experience of the thousands of fans who flock to the Australian
Open every year."
