Pauline Hanson still doesn't like Mardi Gras, says sexuality should be 'behind closed doors'
Australian politician Pauline Hanson reiterated her opposition to the Mardi Gras festival, stating that sexuality should be kept private. Her comments follow internal party controversy regarding anti-gay remarks made by a One Nation candidate.
Why it matters
The article highlights ongoing cultural tensions in Australian politics regarding LGBTIQ+ rights and the internal ideological struggles within right-wing political parties.
The comments come only days after a colleague declared One Nation "one of the gayest parties in Australia". In an infamous 1996 interview with 60 Minutes, the right-wing party's leader responded "I don't like it" while offering her thoughts on the annual LGBTIQ+ festival. "I don't like it because it's promoting something ... that is not natural," she said at the time. Her "I don't like it" comment was co-opted by drag queen Pauline Pantsdown in 1998 and remixed into a parody dance song, which made it into the Triple J Hottest 100 list of that year. Three decades later, Senator Hanson said she acknowledged the economic benefit of the pride parade, adding that it was "acceptable" Australia had legalised gay marriage. "I still don't like the gay Mardi Gras, but that's my opinion," she told News24 on Sunday. "Have I ever been to one? No.
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