Promoters and artists need to consider boycotting Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne and the venue needs a name-change after the tennis champion’s homophobic letter to a newspaper this week.
Court says she will not fly Qantas anymore because of the airlines pro-same sex marriage position.
These days the now 74 year old tennis champion is a minister in a right-wing church in Perth and now feels the need to inflict her prejudices on all of Australia.
In her letter to the editor Court writes:
“I write this as an open letter to the Qantas board and Alan Joyce as the Senior Pastor of Victory Life Church in Perth.
“As you will know, I have represented Australia many times and have the proud record of never losing a tennis match while playing for my country.
“I am disappointed that Qantas has become an active promoter for same-sex marriage.
“Your statement leaves me no option but to use other airlines where possible for my extensive travelling.
“How proud I was to promote the kangaroo tail throughout the world from the Constellation days to the 380s. But unfortunately no more.
“I love all people and will be pleased to talk to your board at any time. But it won’t be in the Qantas lounge.
God bless.
Margaret Court, AO, MBE, Sydney
Tennis legend Margaret Court is making a racket today, serving up this open letter to @Qantas. pic.twitter.com/2EqkjyvIv6
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) May 25, 2017
In recent years the Margaret Court Arena at Melbourne Park has become a major music venue for the city. Artists who have played the venue include Macklelore & Ryan Lewis who scored a same-sex anthem with their song ‘Same Love’ in 2012.
The 7500 capacity venue is used by up and coming artists before ‘graduating’ to the much larger Rod Laver Arena next door. Delta Goodrem, Hilltop Hoods, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, The Black Keys, Imagine Dragons, 5 Seconds of Summer and Little Mix have appeared in the venue in recent years.
Shows about to play there include Ryan Adams on Friday, Body Count, Grinspoon, Little Mix and LCD Soundsystem in June and Placebo, Sigur Ros, Alison Moyet, Alice Cooper and J Cole later in the year.
Hey #MargaretCourt , A PAGAN who STRONGLY SUPPORTS #MarriageEquality ( get a pre-nup tho ) will play the arena named for you tomorrow
; ) pic.twitter.com/lc4GFCkGuF— Ryan Adams (@TheRyanAdams) May 25, 2017
Having a major music venue named after a homophobe is unacceptable for the music industry. Margaret Court Arena needs a name-change.
