Newly elected Perth mayor Basil Zempilas has apologized and vowed to do better after getting stuck in hot water following controversial comments he made on -air on gender
Speaking on his breakfast show on Nine-owned radio station 6PR on Wednesday, M Zempilas said genitals determine a person’s sex, during a discussion of Boxing Australia’s decision to bring the gay boxing world championships back to Sydney in 2023
« If you’ve got a penis you’re a dude If you’ve got a vagina you’re a woman Endgame, » he said
When asked how he plans to meet transgender voters in the city of Perth, Mr. Zempilas joked « manipulate the penis? »
The transgender community was outraged by these comments, TransFolk WA President Hunter Gurevich told The West Australian they were ‘disgusting, bigoted and narrow-minded’ and recommended that they take awareness training
M Zempilas, a 7NEWS sports presenter who writes a weekly column for The West Australian, has clearly discouraged Mr. Zempilas, on his radio show this morning to apologize for his comments, saying he was trying to be funny
« (The remarks) do not reflect my values or the values of the networks I work with, » he said
« Part of my job is being an artist – I was trying to be funny, it wasn’t funny and I apologize
Asked 6PR co-host Steve Mills about whether he supports the transgender community, Mr. Zempilas said he did – and didn’t intend to cause them any hardship
« I learned – that I have caused some people significant hardship and again that was not my intention
« I have caused constraint and discomfort to some people and I apologize, I am so sorry for this »
« I had a very strong conversation with my wife last night – the comments do not reflect her values »
Basil Zempilas, Perth, Lord Mayor, Pride Parade
World News – UA – Baz says sorry for transgender ‘joke’
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
