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In a surprise move, presenters of Channel Nine’s NRL Footy Show have agreed to take part in ACON’s This Is Oz anti-homophobia campaign. Fatty Vautin and other undisclosed Footy Show presenters will have their photos taken for the online campaign, ACON confirmed this week. The move is being seen as reparation for the program’s controversial gay skit featuring fictitious gay character ‘Elton Johns’. ACON CEO Stevie Clayton said: “The Footy Show’s endorsement will mean our campaign reaches an audience we may not have reached otherwise. Firstly, we could never have afforded to promote This Is Oz on television ... Secondly, Fatty and the other Footy Show presenters publicly showing their support for GLBT rights will hopefully increase visibility and help change some attitudes.” Asked when The Footy Show would promote its involvement with This Is Oz on air, Clayton said: “It has already happened. Fatty promoted This Is Oz right after the Sydney Convicts were on.” The gay rugby club appeared on the show on June 11, after which Vautin briefly mentioned This Is Oz. Convicts founder and player Andrew Purchas told MCV: “This is a great outcome that will help dispel homophobia.” However, gay advocate Gary Burns, who has filed a complaint about the skit with the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board, said: “Channel Nine have tried to whitewash my complaint and they may well have succeeded, with the Convicts’ and ACON’s help. Nine can now say, ‘See, we’ve made amends.’ I want a more long-term remedy, including a public apology. Radio station 2UE have not vilified gay men since I sued them – The Footy Show will go back to doing so after taking part in this stunt.” Channel Nine refused to comment.
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