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One Nation candidate says gay people have a mental illness
Australia🏛️ PoliticsLean Conservative5 days ago

One Nation candidate says gay people have a mental illness

A One Nation candidate in Western Australia, Parminder Singh, made controversial and offensive remarks about homosexuality in a social media video, describing gay people as having a mental illness. The video, shared by a local comedian, included claims that gay parades 'advertise' homosexuality to youth and suggested that women who engage in same-sex relationships do not return to men. Singh denied that people are born gay, attributing sexual orientation to parental influence. LGBTQIA+ advocacy group Equality Australia condemned the remarks as 'outdated and deeply offensive.' While Singh stated he does not personally care about gay people, he expressed opposition to 'gay parades' and same-sex marriage legalization. His profile was removed from the One Nation website following inquiries by the ABC. The comments sparked significant backlash, highlighting ongoing tensions around LGBTQIA+ rights in Australian politics.

A One Nation candidate in Western Australia has sparked controversy after claiming that being gay is a mental illness in a video shared online. Parminder Singh, who was listed as number three on One Nation WA's Legislative Council ticket in the 2025 state election, made the remarks during an interview with Perth-based comedian and content creator Jasky Singh, known as "Mr Sikkant." The video, which has drawn widespread condemnation, includes statements suggesting that gay people choose their orientation and that parents are to blame for such choices due to neglect. During the interview, Singh stated that gay parades serve as advertisements to young people, implying that exposure to such events could influence their sexual identity. He further claimed that women who engage in relationships with other women often do not return to relationships with men, asserting that this is due to perceived exploitation by men. When asked directly if people are born gay, Singh categorically denied it, stating instead that being gay is a mental illness and blaming parents for not being attentive enough. Reactions to Singh's comments have been swift and severe. Anna Brown, head of the LGBTQIA+ advocacy group Equality Australia, condemned the remarks as "outdated and deeply offensive." She emphasized that the notion of homosexuality being a mental illness is baseless and absurd, highlighting that the majority of Australians support marriage equality, a right legalized in 2017. Following the release of the video, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson distanced herself from Singh's comments, clarifying that they do not represent her views. She confirmed that Singh is no longer a candidate for the party and acknowledged that he holds personal beliefs that differ from the party's stance. One Nation's WA leader, Rod Caddies, echoed this sentiment, stating that Singh's views do not reflect the party's values and that he is no longer affiliated with the party as a candidate. Caddies expressed regret over the situation, noting that Singh had reached out to him after the controversy emerged, expressing disappointment in his actions and the impact on the party. Caddies emphasized that One Nation has significant support from the LGBTQIA+ community and that they deserve to feel equal in society. The political fallout continued with Labor upper house member Dr Katrina Stratton condemning Singh's views as dangerous, deeply offensive, and outdated. She pointed out that homosexuality has not been classified as a mental illness for over 50 years, underscoring the extent to which Singh's views are out of touch with contemporary understanding and societal norms. Stratton urged other members of parliament to publicly denounce such views, emphasizing the importance of rejecting them in modern Australia. Singh attempted to walk back his comments after facing public backlash, issuing a statement in which he apologized for hurting people and clarified that he was repeating information he had encountered on social media. He maintained that he respects everyone and believes that every person in Australia should be free to live their life with dignity, equality, and respect. However, he reiterated his opposition to gay parades, stating that they serve as advertisements to young people and should not be part of the educational curriculum in primary schools. The incident has raised questions about the vetting process for candidates within One Nation, particularly regarding the alignment of their views with the party's public image. WA Labor minister John Carey, who is openly gay, criticized the party for its history of selecting candidates with extreme views, suggesting that such incidents are not isolated but rather reflective of the party's broader approach. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on the implications for both One Nation and the broader political landscape in Western Australia. The removal of Singh's profile from the One Nation website following media inquiries highlights the sensitivity surrounding the issue and the potential repercussions for the party's reputation. The ongoing dialogue among politicians and advocates underscores the significance of addressing and challenging discriminatory rhetoric in public discourse.

5 reports

SBS News logoSBS NewsState / PublicCenterFactual 85Objective 755 days ago
Behind One Nation's 'gayest party' claim lies a long and complex history

The Australian political party One Nation has faced scrutiny over conflicting statements regarding its stance on LGBTQI+ issues. Federal MP Barnaby Joyce recently claimed the party is 'one of the gayest parties in Australia,' defending the party against accusations of homophobia. However, this comes amid controversy surrounding past comments by One Nation members, such as former WA candidate Parminder Singh, who described being gay as a 'mental illness.' These remarks were widely criticized, prompting calls for the party to clarify its position. Researchers and LGBTQI+ advocates argue that despite Joyce's claims, One Nation's historical positions, such as opposing same-sex marriage and supporting anti-trans policies, suggest a lack of genuine acceptance of the LGBTQI+ community. Activists express skepticism about the party's ability to reconcile these contradictions.

Bias read (Center): The article presents multiple perspectives without overtly favoring any side. It includes quotes from critics of One Nation, such as LGBTQI+ activists and researchers, alongside statements from One Nation figures like Barnaby Joyce. The framing remains balanced, highlighting contradictions but not评判

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports on the controversy surrounding One Nation's statements regarding LGBTQI+ individuals and their claim to being 'the gayest party.' It references specific quotes from Barnaby Joyce and Parminder Singh, as well as responses from LGBTQI+ activists like Heather Corkhill. Th

Why objectivity (75): The article presents the issue from multiple perspectives, including quotes from political figures and activists. However, it leans slightly towards highlighting the contradiction and criticism from the LGBTQI+ community, which may introduce a subtle bias in framing the narrative.

ABC News (Australia) logoABC News (Australia)State / PublicConservativeFactual 85Objective 7512 days ago
One Nation candidate says gay people have a mental illness

A One Nation candidate in Western Australia, Parminder Singh, made controversial and offensive remarks about homosexuality in a social media video, describing gay people as having a mental illness. The video, shared by a local comedian, included claims that gay parades 'advertise' homosexuality to youth and suggested that women who engage in same-sex relationships do not return to men. Singh denied that people are born gay, attributing sexual orientation to parental influence. LGBTQIA+ advocacy group Equality Australia condemned the remarks as 'outdated and deeply offensive.' While Singh stated he does not personally care about gay people, he expressed opposition to 'gay parades' and same-sex marriage legalization. His profile was removed from the One Nation website following inquiries by the ABC. The comments sparked significant backlash, highlighting ongoing tensions around LGBTQIA+ rights in Australian politics.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the candidate's comments as extreme and offensive, aligning with conservative values that often oppose LGBTQIA+ rights. The emphasis on the candidate's rhetoric as 'deeply offensive' and the lack of balanced representation of opposing viewpoints suggest a right-leaning framing. It

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports Parminder Singh's statements from the video, including his claim that being gay is a mental illness and his views on gender dynamics. The details align with the cross-source consensus, though there is some uncertainty due to the missing primary source and the 404 error

Why objectivity (75): The article presents the facts neutrally but uses terms like 'offensive new video' and 'bizarre post,' which may introduce a slight bias. It includes both Singh's statements and criticism from Equality Australia, providing a somewhat balanced view, though the tone leans slightly toward condemning th

ABC News (Australia) logoABC News (Australia)State / PublicCenterFactual 85Objective 7010 days ago
Ex-One Nation candidate 'sorry' for labelling gay people mentally ill

A former One Nation candidate in Western Australia, Parminder Singh, has apologized for describing homosexuality as a mental illness during a video interview. Singh claimed he was repeating views he encountered on social media rather than expressing his own beliefs. The comments sparked significant backlash, leading to Singh's removal from the One Nation party's website and distancing statements from party leaders, including Pauline Hanson and Rod Caddies. Singh later reiterated his apology, acknowledging the harm caused by his remarks, while maintaining his stance against the influence of LGBTQ+ advocacy in schools. The incident highlights ongoing controversies surrounding One Nation's platform and candidate selection.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both the candidate's controversial remarks and the subsequent responses from One Nation leadership and opposition figures. It includes direct quotes from multiple parties involved, providing balanced coverage without overtly favoring any side. The framing remains neutral, simply

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the incident involving Parminder Singh, including his apology and the context of his comments. It references the involvement of Jasky Singh and Pauline Hanson, aligning with the cross-source consensus. The article does not appear to distort facts or omit key informatio

Why objectivity (70): The article presents the situation with some emotional weight, particularly in the quote where Singh says he 'hurt people.' While it provides both sides (Singh's apology and Hanson's distancing), it leans slightly toward portraying the controversy as significant, which may influence reader perceptio

SBS News logoSBS NewsState / PublicConservativeFactual 80Objective 708 days ago
Pauline Hanson still doesn't like Mardi Gras, says sexuality should be 'behind closed doors'

Pauline Hanson, leader of the Australian political party One Nation, reiterated her longstanding criticism of Sydney's Mardi Gras LGBTQI+ festival, stating she does not intend to attend and believes personal sexuality should remain private. Her remarks came amid internal party tensions, including the removal of a candidate for anti-gay comments and claims that One Nation is 'one of the gayest parties in Australia.' Hanson also addressed her inability to name world leaders, defending her foreign policy stance despite past controversies.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames Pauline Hanson's comments on Mardi Gras as controversial and outdated, emphasizing her conservative views on sexuality and personal privacy. The focus on her rejection of LGBTQI+ celebrations aligns with right-wing rhetoric, while the article highlights her party's internal strife

Why factuality (80): The article provides factual information about Pauline Hanson's stance on Mardi Gras and her comments on sexuality, referencing historical context and specific quotes. It mentions the parody song by Simon Hunt and the economic impact of the parade, which are supported by public records. The facts al

Why objectivity (70): While the article presents both Hanson's perspective and the context of the Mardi Gras event, it frames the discussion through the lens of criticism and public reaction, which introduces a slight editorial tilt toward portraying her views as controversial or outdated.

ABC News (Australia) logoABC News (Australia)State / PublicCenterFactual 70Objective 7511 days ago
'Not my views': Hanson rejects former candidate's homophobic comments

Pauline Hanson, leader of Australia's One Nation party, has distanced herself from homophobic remarks made by a former candidate, Parminder Singh, during a video interview. Singh, who ran for an upper house seat in Western Australia's 2025 state election, claimed homosexuality was a mental illness and blamed parental behavior. Hanson stated that Singh's comments were not representative of the party's views and confirmed he is no longer a candidate. One Nation's WA leader, Rod Caddies, echoed this stance, noting Singh was not authorized to make such statements and emphasized the party's support for the LGBTQ+ community. Labor MP Katrina Stratton condemned Singh's remarks as 'deeply offensive' and highlighted that homosexuality has not been classified as a mental illness since 1970.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both the party's distancing from Singh's remarks and criticism from an opposing political figure (Labor MP Katrina Stratton). While the issue of homophobia is highly charged, the reporting does not show clear ideological slant toward either side. The framing remains balanced, as

Why factuality (70): This article discusses Pauline Hanson's criticism of students, which is consistent with the primary source's portrayal of public backlash against the party. It includes direct quotes from the leader, supporting the factual accuracy of the report.

Why objectivity (75): The tone is somewhat confrontational, particularly in the headline 'Hate this country,' which may be seen as emotionally charged. While the facts are presented accurately, the language used could influence perception of objectivity.

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