We wish this story had a happier context, but we can at least be pleased that Australian News Corp site news.com.au has refused to let the insensitivity of one of its readers go unblasted.
A newly-wed gay couple form Britain, David and Marco Bulmer-Rizzi, were on their honeymoon in Adelaide, Australia, when David died in a freak accident, cracking his skull while falling down a flight of stairs.
The tragedy was then made even more horrific when the Australian government stamped “never married” on David’s death certificate. South Australian law does not recognize any same-sex marriages.
Related: This Gay Couple Was Targeted By Antigay, Racist Trolls. Here’s How They Proved Love Always Wins.
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That meant Marco wasn’t considered David’s next of kin, shutting him out of the decision making process regarding things like cremation or how the body was handled.
A story about the injustice ran on news.com.au featuring a photo of the couple that any rational person would find heartbreaking and poignant. But reader Michael Davis had other things on his mind.
“Where was the caution or warning for this image?” he asked on the news site’s Facebook page. “Some of us are trying to have bloody dinner without thinking about a bloke tasting man spit you dirty scumbags.”
Related: ESPN Reporter Shuts Down Fan’s Antigay Slur On Live TV
To the News Corp editor’s credit, the site made an excellent call to abandon journalistic objectivity in its response:
“Sure thing Michael! WARNING: A man eating ‘bloody dinner’ is being unnecessarily hateful in your midst. Tread cautiously, or simply ignore his remarks. Glad to be of service.”
The site’s comment quickly amassed over 1,500 likes.
Here’s how the exchange looked:
h/t Pink News
Dakotahgeo
Fantastic response. I hope Michael Davis and his family choke on their frickin’ dinner! Some people just defy conscieous social behavior.
JessPH
Just in case you want to like the editor’s reply:
https://www.facebook.com/news.com.au/posts/1225893900771314
paul dorian lord fredine
i’d really like to know why he considered one man kissing another on the cheek ‘sharing man spit’? i’m guessing he doesn’t kiss his son (if he has one) because that would be too gay and icky. what an ass.
dinard38
@JessPH: Thanks for the link. I went in and liked this editor’s reply, which is now at 2,857 likes. That was an awesome response to this idiot’s comment.
I would say the one thing about social media that saddens me is that people truly show their true colors when they can hide behind the anonymity of the internet. Well, then again, I guess I can’t say anonymity in this case since this idiot used his Facebook account to make such a heartless comment.
Even if someone had something against same-sex couples, my GOD…..at least show some human decency and not make some hateful comments about someone who lost their life in a freak accident. And this dude, Michael Davis is upset over a picture of a man kissing another man on the cheek? Seriously??? There are just some hateful, evil people out in this world. Sad!!! 🙁
But enough about that moron. My condolences to Marco and David’s family. I can’t even imagine losing your loved one right after you were married and were planning a lifetime together. Then, to make this horrible tragedy even worse, the Australian government refused to recognize David as Marco’s spouse and allow him to make funeral arrangements. Such a sad story.
CarrieV
@JessPH: THANK you for the link, I was going to hunt that down so I could upvote it myself.
Good Karma your way.
Chris
My condolences to Marco Bulmer-Rizzi.