In an apparent turn of luck for ex-Mansfield resident Ken Campagnolo, he has been successful in his anti-discrimination case against the Victorian Country Football League (VCFL).

Last week, MCV reported on Campagnolo’s eviction from his family home in Mansfield, due to his inability to secure employment since being outed as bisexual. The embattled former forest contractor has accused the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) of discrimination on the basis of sexuality. The case is currently before the Victorian Civil Administrate Tribunal (VCAT).

Campagnolo was also stood down as a volunteer football trainer due to fears parents might object to a bisexual man near their children, even though he has never been accused of sexual impropriety.

In a separate case against the Victorian Country Football League (VCFL), the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission ruled that the VCFL must implement policies and training programs that address discrimination, including sexual discrimination, within three months.

“It is a substantial step forward,” said Rob Mitchell of the RJM Trust, who is assisting Campagnolo. “This will have a huge impact on same-sex attracted youth in country areas; something like 85% of the abuse that occurs happens in a sporting or a school context, and in a country area the two are very much intertwined.”

“For same-sex attracted youth in country areas the suicidal thought rate is 30%,” Mitchell added.

Campagnolo, who is currently living out of his car, told MCV: “I’m really happy; this will help all people who play sport in Victoria.”

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