Nic Meseldzija: An open letter to Margaret Court

While most people would say that they were offended by what you wrote, I was disappointed.

Being gay is not a choice. I wonder Margaret, did you one day wake up and choose to be heterosexual? Why do you think anyone would choose to be gay when, by law, we are treated as second class citizens?

It is people like you, with views like yours that cause young gay people to think there is no way out. Gay teens are 14 times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers. Believe me, the feeling of waking up every day and facing the world with such a huge secret is something no child should suffer.

How can you write something that perpetuates and promotes this discrimination, driving young people to question themselves and the value of their life?

My parents, while shocked, could not have been more supportive of the way I was born. I can only wish that everyone realises – it gets better. I hope this letter can go a long way to counteract the damage you have caused and the mistruths you have spread.

If one of your children came to you and said they were the happiest they’ve ever been, and it was because they had met a partner of the same sex, would you treat them differently to your other kids?

Just because I am building a life with someone the same sex as me does not mean I do not hold the same ideals as my family, and those people that I share this country with.

I am 23 years old, I’ve been with my partner for 4 years. We own a house and run a business. Our families and friends could not be happier or more accepting of us.

We are both incredibly hard workers, I have a successful career with a large Australian corporation and we both run our business – on average I work 13 hours a day. I too think that you could have won 6 grand slams, if you had worked harder.

If you look at my partner and me individually, you would not think we are gay.

I wake up in the morning, get dressed in my suit, and go to work – just like many Australian men.

My boyfriend is a tradesman; he wakes up early and works hard all day – just like every other tradie.

We are re-building our house from the ground up, doing it ourselves, doing things that men do.

The only thing that makes us gay is the fact that we are in love with each other.

My family have a proud history of being involved in shaping this nation that we live in, both my great-grandfather, and my grandfather have been heavily involved in politics. They wanted to build a better country, a better place for their family. They love who I am and are happy that I am happy.

I too have these ambitions; I will do everything that I can to ensure that every person in this amazing place we call home is treated equally. So that one day, my children can grow up knowing that their parents loved and supported them and did everything that they could to make sure they left the world in a better place than when they arrived.

That is my goal in life, not that much different from yours I would guess, so why do you wish so much unhappiness on others just because of who they love?