"Tim's Gay" - The Problem with the Sattler and Gillard Exchange

Let me start by declaring my biases:

I think Howard Sattler is a complete moron (I would love to insert a string of expletives to decorate my description of his character, but I think it would detract from the simplicity of the sheer facts), who loves trying to get a reaction from people by peddling his biggotted dark ages views on 6PR. I think its very sad that he has an audience, as it indicates that there are more people who share his ridiculous views.

I think Julia Gillard is an intelligent and articulate woman. I think she has been treated atrociously as a woman, as a Prime Minister, and as a human being, since she has was appointed, then re-elected PM. 

I am a liberally minded voter i.e. not conservative, though that does not mean I necessarily support her or her political party in all their policies and actions. As an atheist, I whole heartedly disagree with her current stance against same sex marriage, as I see any policy against anyone consenting adult being able to choose what relationships they are in, and how they wish to have that recognised, or their right to legally recognised unions should be the same as any other person- as discriminatory; pandering to the conservatives and the churches. 

I was also highly underwhelmed by the proposal to redirect asylum seekers who arrive by boat to Malaysia, not quite as appalled as I am by the "turn back the boats" farce being proposed by the other side but... hang on... getting right off track- that's a rant for another day.

Sattler, in his radio show, which has now been suspended from airing (for the sake of society- axe him permanently, please!), has chosen to revisit "Myths rumours and lies" about the Prime Minister in an interview with her. The whole interview can be seen here (although I warn you that your IQ may be depleted by osmosis in proximity to this lower pressure zone by even having listened to his utter drivel):  http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-13/prime-minister-questioned-whether-partner-is-gay/4752998

I could go into the whole conversation, how inflammatory it is to bring up any myths about  Ms Gillard to her face, regardless of the nature of them, and his clear intent to try and get a negative reaction or embarrass her, how well she did at staying calm etc, but that's not my point today. 

What I think everyone is missing,  is why saying "Tim's a hairdresser, therefore he's gay" should be insulting at all. From the Prime Minister's perspective, there is the insinuation that her relationship is ingenuine, but that's a very superficial suggestion. What Sattler is suggesting (or echoing the suggestion of) is that being gay is somehow a bad thing. 

It is reiterating the immature, bigotted notion that "you're gay" is an insult, and that there is something inherently "wrong"with approximately 10% of the world's population who primarily prefer same sex partners which they should feel embarrassed about or ashamed of.

In a way I thank Sattler for showing people his true self, and how these views are still alive and well to the point where they are thought by some to be entertaining radio. By showing us all how hateful and absurd these views are, we can have the conversation openly about how preposterous small minded zealots like Sattler are, and how vulgar we find it when people like him spread their prejudices.