LGBTQ activist suing Israel Folau for $100,000 for Instagram post

An LGBTQ activist is reportedly suing Israel Folau for $100,000 for the “controversial” Instagram post which resulted in the former rugby star’s sacking.

According to Australian LGBTQ news website the Star Observer, activist Garry Burns wrote to the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW accusing Folau of “homosexuality vilification” in his April post which warned people to repent of a range of sins, including homosexuality.

The post read: “Warning: Drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolaters – hell awaits you. Repent! Only Jesus saves.

“Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him,” Folau wrote.

The Star Observer obtained a copy of the complaint, which accuses the former Wallabies fullback of breaching the Anti-Discrimination Act.

Burns wrote, “By publishing those statements… Mr Folau has portrayed homosexual men and women as people who should be shunned and/or avoided on the grounds of their homosexuality and by doing so, has breached the provisions of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.”

It was also suggested by Burns that Folau’s sermon about recent disasters in Australia was “objectively capable of incitement or contempt and/or hatred of homosexual persons.”

Burns also claimed Folau’s statements are “capable of having a dire effect on… teens who may suffer from low self-esteem issues.”

“The continual targeting of them by Mr Folau in the media… as inferior… could lead those teens to suicide,” Burns said.

If successful, Burns said he will donate Folau’s money to LGBTQ youth organisation Minus 18.