Just over a year out from the next general election, Australia's opposition leader has revealed he's "threatened" by gay people.
Liberal/National Coalition Leader Tony Abbott was asked by reporter Liz Hayes on TV's 60 Minutes show: "Homosexuality? How do you feel about that?"
"I'd probably I feel a bit threatened, as so many people do..." he began.
Hayes interrupted to clarify: "I'm not asking if it's a personal choice of yours."
Abbott responded: "Liz, look, it's a fact of life and I try to treat people as people and not put them in pigeonholes."
Aussie gay groups are now worried over Abbott's misapprehensions over gay people. LGBT equality campaigner Anthony Bendall told News.com.au that Abbott should have kept his feelings to himself: "It certainly isn't a very helpful comment in terms of trying to eliminate discrimination and homophobia."
Meanwhile, the Australian Coalition for Equality wants to set up a meeting where the party leader can meet some "ordinary members of the gay and lesbian community... to show him he has nothing to fear from us," the group's spokesperson Corey Irlam told SameSame.com.au.
