Donny and Marie Osmond end their 11-year run at the Flamingo (photo: Denise Truscello)
News Round-Up: November 18, 2019
Fired Homophobe Says He’s Returning To Rugby
Rugby player Israel Folau, whose contract was terminated in May for multiple homophobic social media posts, appears to be set to return to the game. CNN reports that the Tonga National Rugby League (TNRL) announced Folau had been cleared to play for the Tonga national team at the upcoming Oceania Cup next month. In a press release, TNRL said both Folau and his 24-year-old brother, John, who already represents Tonga, “have registered to play league through the TNRL and are eligible to play in international rugby league fixtures.” Folau added, “I don’t want to bring any of my personal matters into this and I am grateful that the RLIF have endorsed my availability. What I will do now is focus on playing great rugby league and do my talking on the field.” However, the Oceania Cup is run by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) which would have to approve the decision. RLIF has publicly stated they have “not been formally asked to consider the matter.”
Peter Beattie says Israel Folau playing for Tonga has not been discussed.
“The RLIF has made no decision in relation to any registration request for Israel Folau.
I can assure you that this has never been discussed or mentioned around the board table.”— David Mark (@davymark1) September 23, 2019
Homophobe Israel Folau Sues For $10 Million & His Old Job
|
| Israel Folau pictured center (image via Wikimedia) |
.jpg){kind=link}
Homophobic Australian rugby player Israel Folau has filed a $10 million lawsuit to the Fair Work Commission against Rugby Australia alleging he was sacked for his Christian beliefs.
Not only is the former Wallabies player demanding his job back, but 30-year-old also wants $10 million in compensation.
The Guardian reports Folau issued a statement regarding the lawsuit which read, in part, “No Australian of any faith should be fired for practicing their religion.”
But Rugby Australia maintains that it was Folau’s breach of the players’ code of conduct via his anti-LGBTQ social media posts that caused his dismissal, not “practicing his religion.”
The code of conduct requires players to “treat everyone equally, fairly and with dignity regardless of gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, cultural or religious background, age or disability.”
This is what Folau characterizes as “practicing” his religion:
“Whilst Israel is entitled to his religious beliefs, the way in which he has expressed these beliefs is inconsistent with the values of the sport,” said Rugby Australia at the time. “We want to make it clear that he does not speak for the game with his recent social media posts.”
In June, Folau launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to pay for his anticipated legal fees. But GoFundMe canceled that effort saying, “While we welcome GoFundMes engaging in diverse civil debate, we do not tolerate the promotion of discrimination or exclusion.”
But the Australian Christian Lobby, an extreme religious group, jumped in and helped Folau raise over $2 million for his legal battles to come.
It’s worth noting that Folau is a millionaire several times over. According to TheAustralian.com, he owns 8 homes worth over $5 million and a $500k Lamborghini.
So, why does he need fans to pay his legal bills?
In April of 2018, Folau said he has “no phobia towards anyone” but would not recant his social media antics. At the time he told rugby officials he would “walk away from his contract” if he comments hurt his sport.
I guess $10 million sounds better to him today.
Podcast: Tax Cuts For Married Couples, Wealthy Athlete Looks To Fans To Pay Legal Bills, New Inductee On Hollywood Walk Of Fame
In this week’s podcast:
• White House hopeful Elizabeth Warren has proposed allowing same-sex married couples be allowed to file amended tax returns for refunds
• A Texas couple found a touching note on their porch during Pride Month
• Terrorist threats at St. Louis Pride
• A wealthy Australian rugby player, stripped of his contract for homophobic social media, wants fans to pay his legal bills
• Pose star Billy Porter is getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
All that and more on this episode of The Randy Report
Extremist-Right Christian Group Launches New Crowd-Funding Campaign For Homophobic Rugby Player
|
| Homophobic rugby player Israel Folau |
Yesterday, I reported on homophobic Australian rugby player Israel Folau, whose hateful, anti-LGBTQ social media posts resulted in his being stripped of his multi-million dollar contract with Rugby Australia.
Looking to sue the sports organization, Folau launched a crowd-funding campaign via GoFundMe hoping to raise AUS$3 million.
But GoFundMe shut down the campaign citing terms of service violations and writing in a statement that, “We do not tolerate the promotion of discrimination or exclusion.”
Enter the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL), a Christian extremist political lobbying group, who have now set up a new fundraiser on its website with the same goal of $3 million on Folau’s behalf, kicking in the first $100,000 themselves.
As of this writing, ACL has banked over $1.5 million in just a day.
“There is an outpouring of support for Israel Folau from the Australian community, who see Israel’s case as their case,” said ACL managing director, Martyn Iles. “They feel the pinch of political correctness, and the erosion of their basic freedoms.”
“Folau’s supporters will only be emboldened in their commitment by what has happened,” adds Iles. “They were concerned about their freedoms, and GoFundMe has yet again reminded them that their concerns are real.”
“Israel’s case is our case if we want to live free and embrace our beliefs without fear of being marginalized or discriminated against.”
According to ACL, the new funds will be deposited in a trust for Folau to use only for legal expenses.
As I previously reported, TheAustralian.com says the 30-year-old rugby player is nowhere near the poor house as he owns seven homes located in and around Sydney reported to be worth over $5 million, and drives a $500,000 Lamborghini.
Why does he need his fans to pay his legal fees?
#suckers
“No Dough For You” – Crowdfunding Campaign For Homophobic Rugby Player Shut Down
|
| Israel Folau (cropped image via Flickr/DavidMalloy – CC License) |
Crowdfunding company GoFundMe has said, “No dough for you!” to sacked homophobic rugby star Israel Folau.
Over the weekend, GoFundMe shut down the crowdfunding campaign launched by Folau to pay for his legal defense citing violations in their terms of service.
“As a company, we are absolutely committed to the fight for equality for LGBTIQ+ people and fostering an environment of inclusivity,” said GoFundMe spokesperson Nicola Britton in a statement. “While we welcome GoFundMes engaging in diverse civil debate, we do not tolerate the promotion of discrimination or exclusion.”
Britton noted that GoFundMe would be refunding all donations made to Folau’s campaign.
The campaign had raised AUS$700,000 before being terminated.
The former full-back had set a goal of AUS$3 million as he prepares to sue Rugby Australia for stripping him of his four-year contract reported to be worth AUS$5 million.
The action was a result of homophobic social media posts. Folau is a fundamentalist Christian, and on April 10 he posted a graphic on his Instagram telling homosexuals (among other people) “Hell Awaits You.”
After his contract was terminated, he challenged the decision and asked for a ‘code of conduct’ panel to decide.
“Rugby Australia and the New South Wales Rugby Union have made repeated attempts to contact Israel both directly and via his representatives since 6.30pm on Wednesday, and at this point he has failed to communicate directly with either organisation,” said Rugby Australia at the time.
“Whilst Israel is entitled to his religious beliefs, the way in which he has expressed these beliefs is inconsistent with the values of the sport,” the statement continued. “We want to make it clear that he does not speak for the game with his recent social media posts.”
The Sydney Morning Herald reports the former rugby star has filed a complaint with Australia’s Fair Work Commission against Rugby Australia and Waratahs Rugby Pty Ltd. saying “his employment was unlawfully terminated because of his religion.”
He is reportedly looking for AUS$10 million in damages.
Rugby Australia responded saying, “He was bound by a code of conduct for all professional player in Australia that spells out clear guidelines and obligations regarding player behavior, including respectful use of social media.”
After the crowdfunding campaign was shut down, Folau’s former teammate Drew Mitchell tweeted, “YOU are in fight that YOU chose to be in after YOU broke the terms of YOUR contract, the kids below are in a fight they NEVER wanted to be in & yet YOU think YOU deserve donations more than they do???!!”
Mitchell added, “It’s not longer about religion, it’s about YOU and YOUR greed.”
According to TheAustralian.com, Folau owns 8 homes worth over $5 million.
He also apparently owns a $500k Lamborghini. So, why can’t he pay his own legal bills.
Mitchell may be right on that point – “greed.”
YOU are in a fight that YOU chose to be in after YOU broke the terms of YOUR contract, the kids below are in a fight they NEVER wanted to be in & yet YOU think YOU deserve donations more than they do??!!It’s no longer about religion, it’s about YOU and YOUR greed.@IzzyFolau 🤦🏼♂️ pic.twitter.com/mdywzaw1ha
— Drew Mitchell (@drew_mitchell) June 21, 2019
Homophobic Sacked Rugby Player Wants Fans To Pay His Legal Bills
|
| Israel Folau |
Israel Folau, the Australian homophobic rugby player who was canned after several anti-LGBTQ social media posts, is now asking his fans to pony up over $2 million to fund his continuing legal battles.
Folau was pronounced guilty of a code of conduct breach and stripped of his contract last month for an Instagram post that said “hell awaits” gay people.
He was told during his code of conduct hearing that if he would remove the Instagram post that said homosexuals were destined for hell he could save his contract and career.
He chose otherwise, and now he wants someone else to foot the bill.
On Thursday, he launched a crowdfunding campaign asking supporters to donate money towards his legal fund as he continues to wrangle with Rugby Australia.
According to TheAustralian.com, Folau owns 8 homes worth over $5 million.
He also apparently owns a $500k Lamborghini. So, it’s rather audacious for him to ask fans to pay his bills.
For those considering a donation for @IzzyFolau on #GoFundMe consider this: he owns a $500k Lamborghini. He’s made millions from 3 sporting codes. Please help kids medical charities instead.— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) June 21, 2019