Minister quits after gay sexclub sting

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Thu 20th May, 2010 in Local News

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The NSW Minister for Transport and Roads, David Campbell, has resigned suddenly tonight after been filmed leaving popular gay sauna, Kens of Kensington. Campbell is married with two children.

“I have resigned as Minister for Transport and Roads for personal reasons, not for any reasons relating to my Ministerial duties,” Mr Campbell said in a statement. “I apologise to my wife, family, colleagues, staff and the community for letting them down. This will be a very difficult time for my family and friends and I ask for their privacy to be respected.”

Channel 7 tonight aired footage of Campbell using a ministerial car to attend Kens on Anzac Parade in Kensington on Tuesday night.

View the footage of Campbell at Kens here.

Channel 7 allege that Mr Campbell spent two hours at Kens. Campbell has been member the Wollongong seat of Keira since 1999, and has campaigned strongly as a family man. He is the former NSW police minister.

Campbell met with Kristina Kenneally at 5pm tonight to offer his resignation.

Nobody has hearted this, be the first Be the first!

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zebra-stripes said on the 20th May, 2010

i feel sorry for the guy

its not really anyones business

and who doesn't use their work car to get around

Spooky

Spooky said on the 20th May, 2010

Who cares? Sex; prostitute puppet journalists all act as if they never have it and if they do it is only to populate an over populated world.
Channel 7 is so moral!

camiseta

camiseta said on the 20th May, 2010

For once I just want a 'disgraced' polly who gets caught in a scandal to call a massive press conference then climb up onto the podium, clears their throat and read from a statement they prepared earlier "Yeah it was me. So what?" and simply walk off with a smile on their face and a spring in their step.

Kezza

Kezza said on the 20th May, 2010

The poor guy.....Im pretty sure david cambell has never said anything homophobic or been an advocate for homophobia in parliament so no one on this site should take pleasure in his pain. Put yourself in his shoes....

crazzymikey

crazzymikey said on the 21st May, 2010

oh please, he has been an outspoken advocate for 'morals' and family values! he is a hypocrite who doesn't deserve our sympathy.

crazzymikey

crazzymikey said on the 21st May, 2010

guru_g

guru_g said on the 21st May, 2010

i feel sorry for the guy

its not really anyone's business

and who doesn't use their work car to get around

Yes I agree.

We're getting way too much like America in expecting all politicians to be Mary Poppins.

guru_g

guru_g said on the 21st May, 2010

I agree with this too. I'm just a little confused because he looks too old to be Jimmy Barnes' son.

zebra-stripes said on the 21st May, 2010

Just heard on ABC news that him using the car for personal reasons is not even an offense.

So

I hope they hunt down that lousy money hungry photographer and expose him

Sure David Campbell has a few personal issues to deal with, but really this story is shit!

guru_g

guru_g said on the 21st May, 2010

Just heard on ABC news that him using the car for personal reasons is not even an offense.

So

I hope they hunt down that lousy money hungry photographer and expose him

Sure David Campbell has a few personal issues to deal with, but really this story is shit!

Well if the use of the car is not an offence then there is absolutely no excuse for the story.

I guess others have hinted that there may be more to it than a simple Channel 7 sting - perhaps it was a tip off by political enemies or, even worse, political "friends".

SinCity

SinCity said on the 21st May, 2010

It wouldn't surprise me that this was set up by one of his own Labor colleagues. It was apparently known in the NSW Cabinet that David Campbell for years was living a gay double life and was a regular at saunas.

Otherwise this is one of the funiest things to happy this year :D

alexhg4616

alexhg4616 said on the 21st May, 2010

Whether he is gay, bi, curious or confused we need to appreciate that anyone of his generation grew up in a very homophobic Australia, both in terms of social attitudes and laws; Any gay person knows how hard it still is to come-out.

This man has dedicated much of his life to public service, and without any understanding of the psychological issues associated with some-one of his generation being able to be comfortable with his sexuality, he is being condemned by the media for walking down the stairs of a gay establishment.

How can any gay or bisexual person be totally comfortable to come out in a society where our Prime Ministers present and past happily reminds us that same-sex relationships are not equal to straight relationships?

Light-Bearer

Light-Bearer said on the 21st May, 2010

May his new gay life be filled with cock.

Kudos bitch and welcome to the fold.

twinstar

twinstar said on the 21st May, 2010

It is really surprising to see so many self-haters posting. This is not an issue of morals, family or integrity. There is nothing wrong or amoral about being gay and to say that Campbell lacks morals for visiting Ken's is hypocrisy. I hate to tell you - gay men have famililes as well and to say that he doesn't care for his family based on his sexual preference is homophobia rearing its ugly head.

Channel 7 has just declared war on gay people everywhere. Adam Walters' head should roll. The fact that this has become a news item just shows how badly stereotyped we are. And I hate to say it but reading this thread it's disappointing to see how many people here believe the stereotype. This is not who we are and we should be fighting to prove that.

Breko

Breko said on the 21st May, 2010

the poor guy as far as we know didn't do anything wrong in relation to his job - I feel sorry for him. guys in his generation lived in a different Australia 20 years ago. Who'd want to be a politician these days? You can earn bigger bucks in the corporate sector and don't have to worry about your personal life being fodder for Channel 7.

Breko

Breko said on the 21st May, 2010

Nah the car is like a company car, ministers can use them for personal use in their own time. What are they suppose to do - buy a second car just to go shopping?! the car thing is the biggest excuse to 'out' him.

Barrin said on the 21st May, 2010

Maybe we shouldn't make too much of the gay issue. If he was caught leaving Miss Tifanny's Brothel I'm sure the media response would be much the same.

Breko

Breko said on the 21st May, 2010

umm do you pay for sex at Kens? i think its different... its about meeting guys isn't it? Its not a brothel...

Asherbella

Asherbella said on the 21st May, 2010

If a gay man suppresses his sexuality and then marries a woman; it's unfair.
Society dictates the 'norm' of heterosexual marriage.
It is a shame that David Campbell has betrayed the trust of his wife.
Having said that though I commend him for his honesty.
It is now up to David to earn back his wifes' trust.

Light-Bearer

Light-Bearer said on the 21st May, 2010

Does anyone else think he looks like Monte from "Withnail and I"

" As a child- I wept in butcher shops"

JayTee said on the 21st May, 2010

:eek: :eek:
He and his mates are mediocrities who foist themselves into our lives for their own vanity and for the pay cheques.

precisely. it just shows how inept they all are.

as a poster rightly pointed out, this guy is (was) in giving media conferences every week on the dismal state of public transport. how he thought that he wouldn't get recognised is beyond me.

same with some of these politicians. they think they can just be incompetent and people won't notice!

just because he is gay/bi doesn't mean that he can be so stupid - and part of an completely inept government!

there are other less public ways of leading a double life, he obviously wasn't smart enough to do them. (like manhunt, gaydar, etc etc).

i would now be interested in going back over his political career and seeing how he voted on issues that affect our community and what he said in public in his "family" platform when he was trying to get elected.

JayTee said on the 21st May, 2010

If a gay man suppresses his sexuality and then marries a woman; it's unfair.
Society dictates the 'norm' of heterosexual marriage.
It is a shame that David Campbell has betrayed the trust of his wife.
Having said that though I commend him for his honesty.
It is now up to David to earn back his wifes' trust.

earn back his wifes trust???? I think the marriage would be pretty much over because she would be completely humiliated by having her personal life all over the media!

imagine how she feels knowing that all her friends and family now know this.

Barrin said on the 21st May, 2010

But brothels aren't illegal either.

zebra-stripes said on the 21st May, 2010

:eek: :eek:
He and his mates are mediocrities who foist themselves into our lives for their own vanity and for the pay cheques.

This is in no way relative to the issue, however.

jimjazz

jimjazz said on the 21st May, 2010

I love David Campbell! He is such a good singer, but gee he''s put onweight since i saw him at the Cabaret Convention.

Breko

Breko said on the 21st May, 2010

There is a gay issue at play - its not on par with a straight minister going to a straight brothel or club. He obviously has tendencies that he can't explore in his marriage or in his life, which is sad. I pity the fool.

It's something more than just plain infidelity. If he came out 20 years ago and didn't get married [the right thing to do, according to most on here?], would he have been transport minister yesterday?

pioneer_to_the_falls

pioneer_to_the_falls said on the 21st May, 2010

Keneally's response - http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/campbell-lived-with-secret-for-two-decades-keneally-20100521-vyw9.html

"There will be debate whether a person's sexuality has any bearing on [their performance] as a minister or their job performance."

Ummmm, what? How is this debate-worthy?

Barrin said on the 21st May, 2010

Of course the whole thing could be repeated at a Federal level.... who remembers this in the lead up to the last election:

"Veteran political journalist Laurie Oakes says the Liberal Party is behind a "fact sheet" about a Howard government minister who visits gay bathhouses and harasses other men.

Newspaper reports today say the fact sheet claims the unnamed minister, who is married with children, sexually harasses other males in political circles and is rumoured to be sleeping with one of his staff members in Canberra."

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/national/libs-behind-dirt-on-govt-minister-oakes/2007/09/23/1190486117607.html

hazyinseptember

hazyinseptember said on the 21st May, 2010

this whole thing stinks of a sting!!! Why this guy and why now? We also do not know any facts of his relationship.. his wife might be well aware of his extra marital activites??

saying that i giggled like a schoolgirl when i found this pic.. anyone care to add a caption?

http://images.smh.com.au/2010/02/24/1170895/David-Campbell-420x0.jpg

Kezza

Kezza said on the 21st May, 2010

Gay men can have morals and family values you fucken tool.......have some compassion.....and stop being some bitter twisted old queen

Kezza

Kezza said on the 21st May, 2010

It is really surprising to see so many self-haters posting. This is not an issue of morals, family or integrity. There is nothing wrong or amoral about being gay and to say that Campbell lacks morals for visiting Ken's is hypocrisy. I hate to tell you - gay men have famililes as well and to say that he doesn't care for his family based on his sexual preference is homophobia rearing its ugly head.

Channel 7 has just declared war on gay people everywhere. Adam Walters' head should roll. The fact that this has become a news item just shows how badly stereotyped we are. And I hate to say it but reading this thread it's disappointing to see how many people here believe the stereotype. This is not who we are and we should be fighting to prove that.
Perfect point.......all these gay people laughing at another mans pain.....poor guy could be suicidal right now, if you laugh your just as bad as channel 7 and their homophobic bile

Light-Bearer

Light-Bearer said on the 21st May, 2010

this whole thing stinks of a sting!!! Why this guy and why now? We also do not know any facts of his relationship.. his wife might be well aware of his extra marital activites??

saying that i giggled like a schoolgirl when i found this pic.. anyone care to add a caption?

http://images.smh.com.au/2010/02/24/1170895/David-Campbell-420x0.jpg

" As a child, I wept in butcher shops"

well - I think it's hysterical

Light-Bearer

Light-Bearer said on the 21st May, 2010

I dont understand why this man is being considered a hypocrite.

As far as I'm aware- he isn't an anti homo campaigner- just a guy, afraid to be who he was for a large part of his life.

What I dig about this story is- OK he was closeted etc- but when he got busted- he fessed up and took it like a champ.

He could have said- he was in there to learn about Jesus- but instead- he admitted he was all about the cock

Kudos once again bitch- and I'm sure you will be welcomed with open arms by the silver bears

Mann

Mann said on the 21st May, 2010

I hope he's ok and getting enough support. Poor guy.

If he confronted his demons and wrote something about it, I'm sure it would help many others in a bind like him. Not quite a nationally known bind, but you know.

tricky28

tricky28 said on the 21st May, 2010

Of course the whole thing could be repeated at a Federal level.... who remembers this in the lead up to the last election:

"Veteran political journalist Laurie Oakes says the Liberal Party is behind a "fact sheet" about a Howard government minister who visits gay bathhouses and harasses other men.

Newspaper reports today say the fact sheet claims the unnamed minister, who is married with children, sexually harasses other males in political circles and is rumoured to be sleeping with one of his staff members in Canberra."

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/national/libs-behind-dirt-on-govt-minister-oakes/2007/09/23/1190486117607.html
Christopher Pyne.

JayTee said on the 21st May, 2010

I dont understand why this man is being considered a hypocrite.

As far as I'm aware- he isn't an anti homo campaigner- just a guy, afraid to be who he was for a large part of his life.

What I dig about this story is- OK he was closeted etc- but when he got busted- he fessed up and took it like a champ.

He could have said- he was in there to learn about Jesus- but instead- he admitted he was all about the cock

Kudos once again bitch- and I'm sure you will be welcomed with open arms by the silver bears

i'm doing some digging myself. specifically how he voted on issues that affected our community. then we'll see if we should embrace him with open arms.

personally though, just the fact that he was in charge of the dismal dismal dismal public transport system in this state is enough for him to be a bad guy in my books. commuters are constantly treated like garbage by this government and he is a part of that.

Light-Bearer

Light-Bearer said on the 21st May, 2010

That to me would be a seperate issue entirely.

The only relative thing at this moment is a man, who probably shares the same life story of many other gay men of that generation and even this generation.

I do not know much about him, but our community has more noxious enemies, and by some of these posts- some of them are us

Mann

Mann said on the 21st May, 2010

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/the-days-of-privacy-in-politics-are-gone-20100520-vozc.html

This opinion piece has an interesting view on all this.

Instead x y z reasons, he's being slammed for being gay/closeted.

Mark Adnum

Mark Adnum said on the 21st May, 2010

who's camped out on the dark side of Anzac Pde filming people entering and leaving KKK? is that legal?

Mann

Mann said on the 21st May, 2010

Out of the 16000 that have voted so far on the SMH site, 68% believe that Channel 7 should not have aired that footage.

Light-Bearer

Light-Bearer said on the 21st May, 2010

It is legal if
1. No dialogue or sound is recorded.

2. A person can only be filmed for a set number of hours - as part of investigation. The people filming must keep complete logs of the times the surveilance started and finished.

Most surveillance takes place at either - 7.30 am-9 am and then after 3.30 pm, as people going to work and returning home tend to do really silly things along the way.

Mann

Mann said on the 21st May, 2010

Finally an article that slams the media for this.

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/manufactured-scandal-leaves-another-political-career-in-tatters-20100521-vzzq.html

Campbell had never set himself up as a ''family values ''campaigner. A photograph of himself with his wife and sons is merely that – a family photograph – not a morals crusade.

But even more obnoxious than the faulty justification is the self-righteousness of journalists and TV executives who set themselves up as arbiters of public morals.

twohanz

twohanz said on the 21st May, 2010

I think Channel 7 are the ones here should be taken to the human rights commission.
There is obviously an extremely homophobic element somewhere at the top of channel 7.
I recall the terrible times they put John Marsden through.
We have just had IDAHO, and now Channel 7 are dishing out the dirt, trying to drag sexuality back into the gutter.
So lets not lose track of who the bad guy is here. It's Channel 7, not david campbell, he is the victim.

Mann

Mann said on the 21st May, 2010

I really hope that a piece crops up within the gay community that defends or sympathises with this guy and plug the married men support group that exists.

To be gay, to suppress your sexuality, go on with the lie but find yourself trapped in deceit etc really is a serious issue.

guru_g

guru_g said on the 21st May, 2010

I think Channel 7 are the ones here should be taken to the human rights commission.
There is obviously an extremely homophobic element somewhere at the top of channel 7.
I recall the terrible times they put John Marsden through.
We have just had IDAHO, and now Channel 7 are dishing out the dirt, trying to drag sexuality back into the gutter.
So lets not lose track of who the bad guy is here. It's Channel 7, not david campbell, he is the victim.

Ostensibly, yes, Channel 7 should be burned at the stake.

But did they set it up?

I'm not convinced.

I feel there is more to this story happening NOW rather than before. He's been a KKK regular for years apparently.

I'm still thinking Channel 7 were put up to it by the Liberal Party or someone involved in an opposing faction within the Labor Party.

There's more to come with this story...much more.

flounder

flounder said on the 21st May, 2010

How did someone with his profile expect to keep this under wraps?? Yet he seems to have for quite a while.

I wonder how many people of my vintage turned their back on fame or a public life because of the risk of being outted (so much talent wasted). Being outted 30yrs ago was absolutely career ending you had no fucking rights at all. :(

Star1

Star1 said on the 21st May, 2010

NSW Labor MP David Campbell says he and his family need time and privacy to deal with the circumstances that led to his shock resignation as transport and roads minister.

Speaking for the first time since footage of him leaving a gay sex club in Sydney's eastern suburbs was aired on national television on Thursday, Mr Campbell said he accepted responsibility for his actions.

"What I will do is work through these issues with my family," he told reporters in his electorate of Keira on the state's south coast (today) Friday.

Light-Bearer

Light-Bearer said on the 21st May, 2010

He's been pretty honest about the whole thing and is owning it.

Nothing like that fucking hateful priest with the hustler

zebra-stripes said on the 21st May, 2010

Release the hounds!!!!

Go go go go!!

http://sackkyleandjackieo.info/shame/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/mediawatch.png

guru_g

guru_g said on the 21st May, 2010

Oh Media Watch will be all over it! I can't wait!!! ;-)

flounder

flounder said on the 21st May, 2010

Well I can wait. What I cant wait for is a time when it just wont fucking matter and closets will be for putting clothes, marital aides and gymps in. :(

guru_g

guru_g said on the 21st May, 2010

I admire your optomism. I guess that day is a long way away....somewhere over the rainbow, in fact. :(

flounder

flounder said on the 21st May, 2010

I thought that 35yrs ago and although the changes have been small they have been incrimetal, might be another 35 but it will come.

guru_g

guru_g said on the 21st May, 2010

http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kulyhj6kBQ1qzekdio1_500.jpg

Zakalwe said on the 21st May, 2010

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/manufactured-scandal-leaves-another-political-career-in-tatters-20100521-vzzq.html#poll

FarrahFoursteps

FarrahFoursteps said on the 21st May, 2010

Damned if you do (according to Jason) and Damned if you dont (thanks to Channel 7 et al) - are we ever going to be given a fair go?????

crazzymikey

crazzymikey said on the 21st May, 2010

http://www.crikey.com.au/2010/05/21/the-minister-the-gay-sauna-and-a-reporter-with-scores-to-settle/

crazzymikey

crazzymikey said on the 21st May, 2010

they are calling him 'daddy walrus' :D

Zakalwe said on the 21st May, 2010

Very interesting article.

Actually kind of surprised that Kochie had a little bit of a go at him this morning...

zebra-stripes said on the 21st May, 2010

Wooho, 76% against Seven.

Happy to be me

Happy to be me said on the 21st May, 2010

SO WHAT???

A politician went to a gay club?
Did he rape anyone?
Did he kill anyone?
Has he done anything illegal??

I beleive the news is really like that conspiracy therory movie with Mel Gibson...as if he was that good at hiding being gay for 20 yrs with the hounds of the press following everyone!!

Someone leaked this for their own agenda!!

He seems like a nice old man i'd be proud if he was my relation....
Better than a child molester or partner basher!!

grrrrrrr!!!!!:(

zebra-stripes said on the 21st May, 2010

Looks like Walters is about to get his own dirty laundry aired.

Hard to believe that man gets payed a quarter of a million dollars a year to lurk outside gay saunas.

Dsquare

Dsquare said on the 21st May, 2010

Explains why the driver handed me a towel when I got on the bus this morning.

Light-Bearer

Light-Bearer said on the 21st May, 2010

SO WHAT???

A politician went to a gay club?
Did he rape anyone?
Did he kill anyone?
Has he done anything illegal??

I beleive the news is really like that conspiracy therory movie with Mel Gibson...as if he was that good at hiding being gay for 20 yrs with the hounds of the press following everyone!!

Someone leaked this for their own agenda!!

He seems like a nice old man i'd be proud if he was my relation....
Better than a child molester or partner basher!!

grrrrrrr!!!!!:(

Exactly.

In general the public is very cynical of politicians, so I can understand that there would be some interest and sniggering about this story.
Especially considering a SOPV is involved.
This alone, makes the story spectacular to some people.

But at the end of the day, it's some old dude, who has been living a lie for a really long time. He has taken responsibility and has outed himself.

The fact that people deem him "not very good" at his job is a seperate issue.

If it were Fred Nile or Bruce Ruxton- I could understand the gay backlash.

zebra-stripes said on the 21st May, 2010

Yes and you're about to rant about how you don't like the job he is doing.

However that is an entirely separate issue.

People don't usually get sacked based on their personal life.

TheOldie

TheOldie said on the 21st May, 2010

Listening to ABC

they are giving it to the media and Ch 7.

But why cant he present himself as a family man ? he is . Whats the problem if he likes cock or arse on the side.

Are they saying gays cant present themselves as a family ?

zebra-stripes said on the 21st May, 2010

Totally!

This man has a personal failing on some level.

But does that mean he does not love his children or wife?

Hilarious to listen to the Walters camp critisise him for sending out family Christmas cards...... how vile of them to judge someone in that way!

TheOldie

TheOldie said on the 21st May, 2010

This Adam Walters is a cunt.

And they said he is no longer with Reba.

Light-Bearer

Light-Bearer said on the 21st May, 2010

Totally!

This man has a personal failing on some level.

But does that mean he does not love his children or wife?

Hilarious to listen to the Walters camp critisise him for sending out family Christmas cards...... how vile of them to judge someone in that way!

you're totes adorable.

zebra-stripes said on the 21st May, 2010

:o See you at Ken's at midnight ;)

TheOldie

TheOldie said on the 21st May, 2010

I bet business is down for the next week or more !

Light-Bearer

Light-Bearer said on the 21st May, 2010

Do you think he was that popular?

Light-Bearer

Light-Bearer said on the 21st May, 2010

I'll be the guy with the baby elephant

Mann

Mann said on the 22nd May, 2010

http://mymothandi.com/wp-files/100522_transportministerfakegrindr.jpg

I found this fake profile of him whilst perusing Grindr.

How mean. Poor guy. :(

Raoul Duke

Raoul Duke said on the 22nd May, 2010

Has anyone read paul kents article in todays tele? Absolutely ill informed horrible homophobic bullshit.

Oh i don't know anything about saunas so rather then talk to members of the community and find out more about then to understand them i'm going to go as a straight man and talk about the seedy, dungeons and fearing to leave the steam room because a guy left before me and might make me have sex with him!!! oh no, a man watched me shower in a gay SOP venue. What a fucktard. hate the fucking tele.

weathervain

weathervain said on the 22nd May, 2010

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0QorRGfvYQM/S7VVEZRct7I/AAAAAAAAAQg/qJY6CoCoPFA/s400/news-ltd-logo.gif

nuff said

weathervain

weathervain said on the 22nd May, 2010

http://mymothandi.com/wp-files/100522_transportministerfakegrindr.jpg

I found this fake profile of him whilst perusing Grindr.

How mean. Poor guy. :(

People on Grindr are pretty fucked in the head in general.

Raoul Duke

Raoul Duke said on the 22nd May, 2010

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/all-bets-and-towels-were-off-at-kens/story-e6freuy9-1225869831191

zebra-stripes said on the 22nd May, 2010

"But to portray Campbell as a tortured, closet homosexual is somewhat at odds with the sexual free-for-all being offered at Ken's of Kensington."

Yeah..... a dark, depressing, smelly venue was his outlet.... he is so liberated

Raoul Duke

Raoul Duke said on the 22nd May, 2010

Only the tele would send someone to a gay sex-on-premises venue, and report it as shocking that there were men in there having gay sex! Oh who knew!?

weathervain

weathervain said on the 22nd May, 2010

Yeah..... a dark, depressing, smelly venue was his outlet.... he is so liberated

Just like George Michael

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRWXFoqMOcc
http://www.fullertonsfuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Frink1.gif
what with the moustache and the dank and the public deouncement and the glavin haven hoi
Oh boy... that monkey is gonna pay

Dsquare

Dsquare said on the 22nd May, 2010

If there's a god Paul Kents will now have crabs.

guru_g

guru_g said on the 22nd May, 2010

I'd be hoping for something a bit further up the scale of STDs for Paul, actually.

local_warming

local_warming said on the 22nd May, 2010

local_warming

local_warming said on the 22nd May, 2010

How did someone with his profile expect to keep this under wraps??

thats what ive been thinking - ive spotted him in the street before - a couple of months ago on cowper wharf road in woollo, i couldnt stop him for a chat because he was on his phone, but i waved at him and he nodded back. but if i saw him in a sauna, i would definitly have stopped him to talk politics

Grumpy

Grumpy said on the 22nd May, 2010

Maybe we should all stand out front of Ken's with placards saying 'FUCK YOU CHANNEL SEVEN AND YOUR FUCKWIT REPORTER'

Grumpy

Grumpy said on the 22nd May, 2010

Or maybe a demonstration out front of State Parliament House declaring they give David his job back.

Barrin said on the 22nd May, 2010

So a straight guy checked out a gay SOPV to see what happens... I thought that's what journalists called a slow news day. At least Paul Kent is a step ahead of Jason Ackermanis who can only speculate about showering with gay men.

zebra-stripes said on the 24th May, 2010

That has nothing to do with his private life.

I don't care if they're in the Sydney Morning Herald.

zebra-stripes said on the 24th May, 2010

This article is brilliant

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/24/2907202.htm?site=thedrum

Columnists do their bit for the gay community By Marieke Hardy

NSW Labor MP David Campbell was filmed leaving a gay sauna in Sydney. (AAP: Dean Lewins, file photo)

The unveiling of NSW Labor MP David Campbell as a chap who apparently on occasion enjoys the company of nude men in a gay bathhouse has brought them all out of the woodwork - the howling vox poppers, the disapproving shock jocks, the tut-tutting columnists. Pleasingly there have also been a certain few others rising above and beyond the call of duty with all the jowl-wobbling bluster of Harold Bishop in a wind tunnel. These folk - but of course - are 'just trying to help'.

Slightly surprising - though perhaps on reflection to be expected of anybody unfortunate enough to spend seven years working in close proximity with Kyle Sandilands - was the recent reaction of gay 2DayFM newsreader Geoff Field, who in a misguided attempt to lend Campbell support somehow managed to sound even more judgemental than a Westboro Baptist Church picket line.

"Don't get me wrong," Field wrote in last Friday's Daily Telegraph, "What he [Campbell] did was stupid and morally wrong".

Was it really? Either of those things? Campbell visited a gay sauna, presumably to look at some other men naked and perhaps indulge in certain activities perfectly legal between two or three or seven consenting adults. If I were a gay man (I'm not, so please tell Peter Meakin the Channel 7 camera crew lurking in the bushes outside my house are free to go) I'd probably be paying my $15 entry fee and availing myself of the penis on offer too. There's nothing 'stupid' about being in a gay sauna or sex club, nor is there anything 'morally wrong' with wanting your hijinkery to perhaps remain private. It's utterly baffling to understand why Field - who married his partner in 'Sydney's first illegal gay wedding' in 2004 - would take the moral high ground in such a fashion.

"Before you condemn this man," he thunders with misplaced rage, "Are you perfect yourself? I'm not sure he should be allowed to get away with this, without any consequences, but let's not allow this to turn into a titillating, salacious gay scandal".

Get away with what? Dropping his towel before the whistle blew announcing 'time'? Jollying his way home with lascivious chuckles and shouting out of his ministerial car window "I'm a gay and my constituents are none the wiser! None I say! Bwahahaha!".

The main question here is how Geoff Field - or, for that case, any of the people rushing to add their names to the Book of Judgement - knows that David Campbell didn't have some sort of understanding with his wife. The rules of sexual consent within a relationship can be both broad and complex, often involving vague, modest terms such as 'a blind eye' or 'mutual agreement'. Seven journalist Adam Walters bleated that the Campbell story was newsworthy because the MP "Represented himself to the people of Keira as a family man". While it may come as a shock to Walters to realise that family men on occasion sleep with women other than their wives, visit prostitutes, and - yes - have sex with other family men, the fact is this does not preclude them from being loving fathers, caring partners, and upstanding members of society. Sometimes they're even police ministers.

Possibly feeling left out that colleagues were stirring up an unsettled public without him, Telegraph reporter Paul Kent also 'threw' himself in the 'line' of 'fire' and paid a personal visit to Ken's at Kensington, where he spent a clearly harrowing evening tiptoeing from steam room to shower with the sort of pantomimic terror usually witnessed in high school productions of A Nightmare On Elm Street. Among the obviously distressing events of the night, Kent witnessed a man 'enjoying a video', sat in a sauna 'with two wordless men' (mimes, undoubtedly), and suffered the ignominy of another man (possibly Jason Akermanis) watching him shower, before racing off into the night shrieking with horror. To add insult to injury it seems nobody once reached over to enjoy a contemplative tug on Paul's presumably daunted penis, though according to his suitably purple first-hand account, "I felt more popular than the foreign exchange student". Which foreign exchange student exactly Kent is referring to is unclear, though it's fair to assume it isn't one of those being consistently beaten to death on the streets of Melbourne.

Kent's piece is brilliantly idiotic, and full of veiled, clumsy references to sex acts so potentially sinister it's almost comedic. He writes with the manner of one newly returned from battle, too traumatised to go into detail, yet needing to share the burden of all that has been seen. "As a visitor yesterday, there were... things... I... cannot... explain,' he shudders, seemingly enjoying robust use of his 'insert ellipses here to signify deep moral distress' button.

While Kent and Field may claim in various ways to have been 'helping' the public understand Campbell's seamy secret life it's just another excuse to trot out fear and ignorance as a way of keeping those pesky homos in their place. And we wonder why professional tits like Jason Akermanis say they feel 'uncomfortable' about homosexuality as a concept. With columns like these, how could they feel otherwise? Perhaps Kent should take Aker on a little eye-opening excursion to his new watering hole. They could even 'enjoy a video' together.

guru_g

guru_g said on the 24th May, 2010

This article is brilliant

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/24/2907202.htm?site=thedrum

Yeah, really good stuff - thanks for posting.

zebra-stripes said on the 24th May, 2010

Yes it's all because David Campbell visits a steam room.

Now he's gone I'm sure manufacturing will return to Australia.

Kevin Rudd is doing a brilliant job not having sex with anyone and the economy is all the better for it.

guru_g

guru_g said on the 24th May, 2010

Piffle.

All of Australia's manufacturing industries have gone to China. Not just NSW.

And we're still the city that everyone wants to move to, everyone from overseas aspires to live in.

You are being a Liberal party hack by writing this stuff. You're being like those fake letter writers in the Daily Telegraph.

I don't mean you shouldn't be a Liberal-right wing voter if that's what you want to be. But using this kind of stuff every time there's any mention of something to do with Labor...it's just silly.

guru_g

guru_g said on the 24th May, 2010

I'm sure you will darling. I love your consistency :D

Hugs!

Zakalwe said on the 24th May, 2010

http://www.news.com.au/national/activist-calls-to-hold-special-outing-day-for-gay-mps/story-e6frfkvr-1225870298131

guru_g

guru_g said on the 24th May, 2010

[
This is Emperor Nero exercising his creativity whilst Rome burns.

It's also an analogy for Samesamers bleating over one overpaid person's privacy while the NSW economy goes down the gurgler.

I do like it when you are direct like this rather than hinting at things.

You come across as an Andrew Bolt type character. But at least when you post like this, you're telling us how you really feel. SameSame can definitely cope with differing political opinions and a few politcal bitchslaps!

But I SERIOUSLY would love to see you and Rudeboy on a TV panel program. It would be a hoot!

zebra-stripes said on the 24th May, 2010

Please explain how is salary his related to what he does in his own personal time.

When you go for a job interview, does your salary reflect your sexual habits? Do you disclose your orientation?

zebra-stripes said on the 24th May, 2010

Dear Zebra, this current scandal mixes up a few issues. You tell me I sure ignore one issue and concentrate on the other.
I and Jaytee maintain that one issue is grossly more important than the other.

No you are wrong to draw a correlation between someones sexuality and their effectiveness at work.

Wrong.

zebra-stripes said on the 24th May, 2010

I'm not singling out this particular person's effectiveness or this particular person's salary.

This fat person is 'a front man' for a coven of spin doctors and lobbyists. You can see these faceless people making hand signals behind the camera during the door-step interviews. ALL of them are corruptible.

Keneally is an excellent 'front man' but do you know where she was yesterday? She and the coven were negotiating with the fat 'front man' down at Shellharbour (which is just one of the fatman's SIX homes). The coven were negotiating for hours about which lies to feed the media in order to gain our sympathy.

I would not be at all surprised if he and the coven are doing their arithmetic to decide whether its better to exit now rather than next year. The rules for super and post-public are very complex. But then, on the other hand, I would not be at all surprised if fatman gets ALL his perks back in 6 weeks time.

None of that makes any sense. You can't even directly state your point without weakly hinting at a bigger picture.

Poor reasoning.

Barrin said on the 24th May, 2010

The coven were negotiating for hours about which lies to feed the media.....

Ha! The same media who made an issue of it in the first place.

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