Member of the NSW Legislative Council Mark Latham has called for straight people to have their own international day, parade and flag.
The One Nation NSW leader believes heterosexuals should be formally recognised to keep the species ‘alive’.
He wrote on Twitter: “We love the gays but it’s overdue to recognise the Heteros with our own flag, parade, International Day, UN envoys, special footy round and jersey and Welcome To Bed ceremonies.
“Keeping our species alive!!”
And this man almost became Prime Minister in 2004.
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Many were quick to condemn the politician for his comments, as one person wrote: “Not sure anyone should celebrate you procreating.”
Another said: “Mate, I am a cis white male and even I find this cringe.”
While a third person shared: “Not really a group that struggles for inclusivity, doesn't make a whole lot of sense.”
However, some conservatives were ready to jump on board, as one remarked: “Thanks for supporting those of us that don’t get any recognition in 2023 Latho! Feels good to be appreciated.”
While another wrote: “I've been saying this for a few years now, I can't see why not.”
Funnily enough, there is such thing as a straight pride flag. It consists of black and white lines and seemingly mimics the LGBTQIA+ pride flag.
This isn’t the first time Latham’s statements have landed him in hot water.
In 2021, Latham called for the Department of Homo Affairs (DoHA) to be defunded, saying it a ‘waste of taxpayer dollars’.
While the (DoHA) refers to itself as a performance and research collective, Latham labelled them 'political activists' with their own agenda.
He told 2GB Radio: “The Department of Homo Affairs, who say that they’re involved in the arts, but they’re really political activists. They build themselves as campaigning against Australia’s culture of white supremacy.
"So there they are attacking Australia with lies. They’re campaigning for open borders, so helping the people smugglers and reviving those dreadful boats where so many of the asylum seekers drowned.”
However, Officer Stonewall of DoHA told the Star Observer that the group had not received any money from the state.
He also poked fun at Latham while citing his recent failures to pass his religious freedom bill and anti-trans education bill through NSW Parliament.
He said: “We also want to acknowledge the difficult context in which Mr Latham is operating.
“We can only imagine his visceral disappointment about the so-called religious freedoms and parental rights bills failing to get through Parliament.
"We note that he must be fixating on any opportunity to be involved in the LGBTQIA+ community at this sensitive time for extremely heterosexual cis men.”
Charisa Bossinakis