December 16th, 2014
Sydney, Australia, has been rocked over the past couple days by a hostage stand-off which ended in three deaths. On Sunday morning, an Islamist terrorist named Man Haron Monis entered a cafe in the financial district and took 17 hostages.
Sixteen hours later it was over, with Monis dead along with one customer and the cafe manager, Tori Johnson, age 34. Twice Johnson had scuffled with Monis, providing a distraction which allowed other hostages to escape. In the early hours of Monday morning he noticed that Monis was getting drowsy and grabbed for his gun. Johnson was fatally shot and that precipitated the police raiding the location.
Johnson is being praised as a hero, an indisputably valid description.
Tory Johnson’s family released a statement. And the local news selected portions to bring to their audience. The highlighted words below are the words they omitted.
We are so proud of our beautiful boy Tori, gone from this earth but forever in our memories as the most amazing life partner, son and brother we could ever wish for. We feel heartfelt sorrow for the family of Katrina Dawson. We’d like to thank not only our friends and loved ones for their support, but the people of Sydney; Australia and those around the world for reaching out with their thoughts and prayers. Our deepest gratitude to the NSW police, armed forces and paramedics for their tireless efforts. We ask that the media respects our privacy in this difficult time. Let us all pray for peace on earth.
It seems that it was not news-worthy that he was an “amazing life partner” to Thomas Zinn for the past 14 years. The news reporters had sufficient time to discuss the other victim’s children. But that this brave man was gay with a long-term partner, well that just wasn’t relevant, ya know.
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CPT_Doom
December 16th, 2014
The AP in the US also “straight washed” Johnson’s life, including the line about being a “life partner” from his parents’ statement but ignoring the existence of his partner, while discussing the other victim’s children and family.
Peter
December 19th, 2014
As someone who lives in Australia, your characterisation of events is just not accurate. In fact, the vast majority of newspaper, radio and TV coverage made reference to Tory having a male partner of 14 years. While in this instance they didn’t mention this, this was not representative of the coverage.
The high rating morning breakfast program had an interview with the partner that was broadcast across lots of the media.
http://www.9jumpin.com.au/show/today/videos/3951235242001/
As someone living in Australia, if I thought that they were straight-washing his life I’d be the first to say. That just is not the case, in this instance.
Timothy Kincaid
December 19th, 2014
Peter,
Thank you for providing that update. I’m delighted that the coverage now includes Thomas and understand that his broadcast on Today was very touching (unfortunately, the clip didn’t play).
Peter
December 20th, 2014
Hi Tim
Here it is on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjFEVarRwDI
Timothy Kincaid
December 20th, 2014
Thank you Peter. That was beautiful
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