There seems no doubt that elevating Margaret Court to the top rank of Australia's honours list this Australia day was an unwelcome mistake. Particularly so, as it now seems that the main reason was to achieve gender balance because Rod Laver had received a similar elevation previously for his contribution to the sport of tennis.
Long ago,. both players were giants who achieved overwhelming tennis fame at the very top of that sport and Margaret Court had already been recognised on the Australian Honours list, but she has been further elevated to Companion of the Order of Australia, which is our highest honour.
That elevation was surprising - and unwelcome - to a lot of Australian people because Margaret Court has chosen to air her views on the subjects of homosexuality, same sex marriage and other sexual matters that became lawful in this country in recent times. Her views are heavily influenced by the bible and her condemnation of anything not sanctioned by the bible was both insulting and offensive to those who viewed the bible differently.
Some religious people support her views heavily and claim that she has the right to free speech. She will not be prosecuted for holding those views, but free speech does come with limitations. Should someone hurl racist abuse at a sporting event they would be removed from the ground and charged with a law breach. They are entitled to their private point of view, but not permitted to offend others with it in a public place.
Awarding our top honour to such a controversial person had the effect of diminishing the honour in the eyes of many people.. A top broadcaster nominated for inclusion refused the honour and an artist who was previously honoured returned his medal in protest. It is likely that similar action will be forthcoming down the thousands of people who have received recognition for their achievements in the lower order of this award.
In an ever diminishing number of countries, the laws of the church and the law of the land run in tandem. It is usual for those laws to come into conflict with the needs of the people disadvantaged by church law and consequently the will of the people has become paramount. Such was the case in Australia when civil law set aside church law after it became evident that was the majority opinion.
There certainly are people in Australia who do not agree with homosexuality and do not approve of same sex marriage, and they are entitled to those views,. But we live by the laws under which we are governed and the will of the people has chosen to put those laws in place, and they must be obeyed.
Margaret Court was ill advised to go public and use her fame to vilify the lifestyle that is now legal in Australia. It is unlikely that her award will be withdrawn, but it will certainly serve as a lesson to others that there is a fine line between fame and infamy.
In future, those given this award will not greet it with the same degree of enthusiasm.
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