British tennis hopeful, 17, ‘walks into gay rights furore’ after sporting rainbow hairband in protest over court legend's 'homophobic' slurs

17th January 2012

Struggling British tennis hopeful Laura Robson has become an Australian gay rights champion after sporting a rainbow hairband in response to anti-gay comments made by the country's most successful female player.  
Margaret Court, 69, who won 24 grand slams titles in a glittering career, sparked fury last month when she spoke out vehemently against gay marriage and described homosexuality as a 'personal choice'.
She told the Australian newspaper that reforms to allow same-sex couples to marry would 'legitimise what God calls abominable sexual practices.'

Scrunchie protest: British player Laura Robson sports a rainbow hairband following anti-gay comments made by Australian tennis legend Margaret Court

Postergirl: Pictures of Miss Robson quickly appeared on the Rainbow Flags Over Margaret Court Arena campaign's facebook page

As a response Robson, who turns 18 next Saturday, sported the eye-catching accessory as she turned out for her first round Australian Open match against 13th seed Jelana Jankovic in the arena named after Mrs Court at the Melbourne Park Complex.

 

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Mrs Court's comments prompted a campaign by gay rights activists who set up a facebook page urging tennis fans to fly the multi-coloured banners during the tournament
However the Rainbow Flags Over Margaret Court Arena campaign failed to garner much of a following with only a few of the banners on show during the opening round matches.

Controversy: Margaret Court, who won 24 grand slam titles, said allowing same-sex couples to marry would 'legitimise what God calls abominable sexual practices'

Nevertheless pictures of Miss Robson wearing her hairband quickly appeared on the facebook page where she was praised for making a stand.
Interviewed after the match, Robson said she was unaware of the campaign and had decidedly to wear the band independently after reading Mrs Court's comments in the press.
She said: 'It was just a rainbow coloured hairband. I didn't see anything about a protest today. I wore it because I believe in equal rights for everyone. That's it.
'It's not a protest. It's a hairband.'
'I did (know about the comments). But it was through newspapers and things, I never saw a direct quote from her so I don't want to comment when I actually haven't spoken to her.
'I was obviously going to be asked about it and I have given my answer. I believe in equal rights for everyone, that is why I wore it.'
Mrs Court, who was Catholic before becoming an evangelical Christian in 1972, told the Perth tribune: 'Politically correct education has masterfully escorted homosexuality out from behind closed doors into the community openly and is now aggressively demanding marriage rights that are not theirs to take.
'The fact that the homosexual cry is 'we can't help it, as we were born this way,' as the cause behind their own personal choice is cause for concern.'
And she remained defiant, standing by her views when asked about the issue once again over the weekend.

Damp squib: The Rainbow Flags Over Margaret Court Arena campaign failed to make an impact during the first round matches at the Australian Open

She told The Australian: 'Are they not wanting me to come to the Australian Open?
'Is that what they are trying to do?
'I don't run from anything. I have always been a champion and always loved what I do and love tennis. I think it is very sad they can bring it into that.'
Mrs Court, who won the Wimbledon women's singles title in 1963, 1965 and 1970, before becoming a pastor, said she was 'sad' that protestors had decided to use a tennis venue to voice their grievances.

Outclassed: Robson is now out of the tournament after being beaten in straight sets by Serbian Jelena Jankovic

'Unfortunately, Margaret Court has not. ... Her myopic view is truly frightening as well as damaging to the thousands of children already living in same-gender families.'
And Kerryn Phelps, the former president of the Australian Medical Association and one of the country's most influential campaigners, has even gone so far as to suggest the Court's name is dropped from the 6,000 seat arena.
She tweeted: 'Time to rename Margaret Court Arena'.
Robson, who was one of five British players to bow out on the first day of the tournament, losing in straight sets 6-3, 6-0.

FLOWN WITH PRIDE AROUND THE WORLD: A HISTORY OF THE RAINBOW FLAG

Pride: The flag has been used by the gay, lesbian and transgender community since the late 1970s

• The multi-coloured flag, also known as the freedom flag, became a symbol for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride during the late 1970s after it was adopted by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker.
• In 1994, for the 25th Anniversary of the New York City Stonewall riots, a mile-long rainbow flag was created which was subsequently cut up into sections which have since been used in parades around the world.
• Consisting of six coloured stripes with red on top or to left, the flag was used widely after the assassination of San Fransisco councillor Harvey Milk.
• Some claim its use is synonymous with gay icon Judy Garland, who famously sings Somewhere Over The Rainbow in the film The Wizard of Oz.
• The use of the flag is also common outside the gay community as a symbol for peace and tolerance.
• The different colors are meant to symbolise diversity within the gay community.
• However others claim the colours have individual meanings with the red symbolising life, orange - healing, yellow - sunlight, green - nature, blue - harmony, and purple/violet - spirit.

Secretary at strict Catholic school 'is bisexual prostitute offering £150-an-hour sex sessions'

17th January 2012

Kerri Mallier advertised her services on an adult website, it has been claimed

A secretary at a Catholic school is working as a £150-an-hour bisexual prostitute, it has emerged.
In Kerri Mallier's profile on an adult website she describes herself as 'classy, stunning and extremely naughty', the Sun reports.
The married 40-year-old makes up to £800 for an all-night booking under the name Keri Ann.
Her extra-curricular job was uncovered after a parent of pupils at Trinity Catholic School in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, saw photos of the petite brunette on the site.
The school's head of administration told a reporter that her sideline was her 'hobby'.
Her profile carries naked pictures and her claim to be a 'bi-female offering a truly exceptional girlfriend experience'.
She adds: 'I love what I do, offering my services to men, women and couples.'
She also boasts of a 'sexy girlfriend who would be more than happy to join us'.
On the site she offers her rates and asks for payment 'within the first 5 mins'.
A Sun reporter posing as a client arranged to meet her at a hotel near the M40. Mallier turned up accompanied by a burly man who waited in a car outside.

Keri Mallier works as head of administration at Trinity Catholic School, in Leamington Spa

She told the reporter: 'I work in a school, which is probably why I do this, so I can get away from the kids.'
She has worked for five years at the specialist arts and technology college, which has 1,145 pupils aged 11-18.
Mallier, of Warwick, refused to comment. Shown a nude snap on the site, she told the paper: 'That is me but I don't know where it has come from.'
A short while later profile was removed.
School principal Dr Jim Ferguson said: 'We don't have any comment to make at the moment.'