News Corp journalist Shannon Molloy has resigned from the board of the New South Wales Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby amid reports of a targeted campaign by third parties against his involvement because of his employer.
Jill Stark, a former Age journalist who reports on LGBTI issues, said Molloy had been pressured to quit by people who complained that his employment by News Corp put him at odds with the organisation.
“I was devastated when I heard,” she said. “What an absolute own goal by activists who are trying to strike a blow for equality and have forced a gay man to resign from a gay rights organisation.”
Complainants had suggested News Corp’s reportage around the Safe Schools program and young queer and transgender Australians meant that Molloy’s involvement compromised the lobby’s integrity.
“How can NSW GLRL call out the trans hate from News Corp when one of its national journos sits on the board?” Rodney Chiang-Cruise wrote on Twitter.
He continued his comments on Facebook: “You have on your board a member of an organisation that repeatedly, systematically, viciously attacked and harms trans and gender diverse kids. I believe this compromises and undermines your organisation’s credibility.”
Other journalists and LGBTI rights activists have conveyed their dismay at Molloy’s resignation, saying he had done important work for the community.
Another example of our community piling on to one of its own, who was just trying to help https://t.co/IiTOhlRmb2
— Rob Stott (@Rob_Stott) May 22, 2017
Sending support to #ShannonMolloy. As a fmr gay Republican, we have to distinguish ppl from orgs. This is a shame cc @NSWGLRL @chrispytweets https://t.co/tqBEE4OYyN
— Dr Chris Pepin-Neff (@christopherneff) May 23, 2017
Anyone who has read this should know @sleemol is an excellent asset to both News and NSWGLRL. It's unfair and unhelpful to target him. https://t.co/adZnBbe6qH
— Josh Taylor (@joshgnosis) May 22, 2017
The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby released a statement on Tuesday night supporting Molloy saying he would be welcomed back if he chose to return to the organisation.
“There is a difference between having a debate on an issue, and personally attacking someone,” the statement said.
“The behaviour that has been shown this week towards particular individuals that have proudly volunteered for our organisation has been nothing short of appalling. It is damaging, and there should be consequences for those responsible.”
There is a difference between having a debate on an issue, and personally attacking someone. The behaviour that has been shown this week towards particular individuals that have proudly volunteered for our organisation has been nothing short of appalling. It is damaging, and there should be consequences for those responsible.
Many cited an article Molloy wrote in February 2016 for the Daily Telegraph that spoke in support of Safe Schools and detailed his experience of homophobic bullying.
“I was bashed, ridiculed, taunted endlessly, you name it,” he wrote. “I don’t speak about my adolescence often. The truth is that I’m still traumatised by the unspeakably horrific things I endured as a teenager that the mere thought of them makes me ill.”
Molloy has worked as a TV and entertainment writer for News Corp since 2014 and recently began working as a national reporter and producer.
Stark said he was “loved and valued” as a journalist and an advocate.
“Shannon wrote a very powerful piece for News Corp about his experience of homophobic bullying in high school, which had an incredible reaction, and this incident brought him right back there.
“All that this has achieved is to rob the LGBTI community of a passionate advocate. It gives opponents of equality a free kick because it divides the community.”
Established in 1988, the lobby is the peak organisation for lesbian and gay rights in NSW and works towards achieving legal and social equality for LGBTI Australians. Board members are voluntary positions.
Stark said she hoped Molloy would return to the organisation.
“To hold an individual journalist responsible for the entire reporting of a multinational multimedia company is ridiculous,” she said. “You’ve also robbed the world of a voice that had a powerful platform.
“I think having Shannon on the board in no way prevented that organisation lobbying News Corp as an entity to do better. It’s not as if Shannon is a member of the Australian Christian Lobby. They’ve targeted a gay man who was volunteering his time for a gay rights organisation.”
Molloy declined to comment.