The Diary: Walker takes flak over 'accidental homophobia'

NZ Herald

29 May, 2015 05:00 PM4 mins to read

Stan Walker defended himself in the comments section of his Instagram post against those accusing him of homophobia. Photo / TV3

Reporter speaks out about slur after singer causes offence on Instagram.

He is the role model ambassador for Fifa's U-20 World Cup and will perform at the event's opening ceremony at North Harbour stadium today, but pop star Stan Walker was slammed this week by One News reporter Matty McLean for non-exemplar behaviour in circulating a meme on Instagram deemed anti-gay.

The 24-year-old triple platinum-selling recording artist and X Factor judge and mentor took to the social media networking service during the State of Origin match to post a picture from the blockbuster movie The Hangover with the words, "So long, gay boys", and an image of the New South Wales team. Walker supports Queensland.

McLean, who is openly gay, took umbrage.

He penned a column on TVNZ's news website accusing Walker of "accidental homophobia". He said Walker may not have meant to express anti-gay sentiment, but he did.

"Stan Walker's post had homophobic undertones, and I didn't like it. Not just because I'm gay myself, but because it's 2015 and I thought we were past that," McLean wrote.

"Even though I'm proudly gay now as a 28-year-old, when I was 13, it was used by bullies as a slur. A put-down. It was them saying 'you're gay, and being gay is bad'.

"And essentially, that's what Stan was saying in his post. He was saying he didn't like New South Wales, didn't want them to win, didn't support them. And because of that, they're gay."

The sentiment was wrong, he said, "especially by someone in such a powerful position".

"I think Stan is amazing - but in 2015, I'd like to think we can stop using 'gay' as a negative word," the One News reporter told The Diary in a statement.

Walker didn't initially see what all the fuss was about. He defended himself in the comments section of his Instagram post against those accusing him of homophobia.

"People getting up an arms about something that was harmless ... I get called gay, fag, ni#%# everyday ... Its nothing unless i let it be [sic]," he wrote.

He may not take offence by the name-calling lumped upon him, but he sure caused offence this week by circulating the name-calling meme.

The pop star has since deleted the post and apologised on Twitter.

"At the end of the day No offence was intended. Please don't take offence. I apologise."

"Again I'm sorry 4 any offence from the other post ... Peace & love."

Walker will not want the episode to tarnish his role as an ambassador for the U-20 World Cup, which will be broadcast to more than 100 countries and a television audience of more than 170 million people.

His performance today will catapult him on to a global stage, and he knows it.

"It's so awesome 2 be the ambassador ... Not only that, but I get to perform at the opening ceremony to the WORLD too," Walker wrote on Instagram.

He is well-deserving of the opportunity, which will undoubtedly provide thousands more fans to the 129,000 who already follow him on Instagram. After this week, Walker will no doubt be more responsible about what he posts.