Despite his apologies over comments on radio that have infuriated the transgender and LGBTQ (Lesbian Gay Trans gender and Queer/Questioning) community, the newly appointed Lord Mayor of Perth, Basil Zempilas, was faced with a 10,500-signature petition calling his resignation that was presented on Sunday.
The online petition was organised by the Perth Scorpions Volleyball Club.
Pride WA president Paul van Lieshout Hunt had organised an earlier petition which called for the moving of Perth’s PrideFest, one of the biggest LGBTQ festivals in the country, to the City of Vincent to the north of Perth.
The petitions came after Mr Zempilas, a well-known media personality, made comments relating to gender during the early morning radio show he co-hosts on Perth radio station 6PR last Wednesday morning. His comments caused an immediate uproar on social media.
In his apology made before the media on the following day, Mr Zempilas said the comments were “bad broadcasting” and that he had briefly forgotten he was Lord Mayor of Perth. He apologised for the offence and hurt that his comments had caused.
READ STORY: LBGTQ community slam Perth lord mayor over radio show comments
He also uploaded a two-minute video apology on the City of Perth Council website which states: “The City of Perth is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion of all members of the community. Respect is one of our core values.
“The City is a proud supporter of Pride WA and has been for over 20 years. We will continue to support the work it does to champion the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“The Lord Mayor has unreservedly apologised for comments made on 6PR yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reported that Mr Zempilas home was vandalised with graffiti over the weekend.
