A radio host was fired for tossing a gay joke Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s way during a live broadcast earlier this week.
Disc jokey Howard Sattler asked Ms. Gillard during a Thursday broadcast if her seven-year partner, Tim Mathieson, was homosexual, seeing as he was a hairdresser. Ms. Gillard called the question absurd, and radio executives fired Mr. Sattler for disrespect, BBC reported.
The timing of Mr. Sattler’s question was poor. Ms. Gillard faces a general election in September — and current poll numbers have her lagging behind opponent Tony Abbott. Just a week ago, Ms. Gillard was publicly offended by a campaign menu for Mr. Abbott’s party that poked fun at her body, BBC reported.
The D.J. apologized for his comments, BBC said, but the incident sparked national outcry.
Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick said many public women face “significant demeaning attitude, sexist questions, invasive questioning,” BBC reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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