Queensland’s Anti-Discrimination tribunal has ruled that gun lobbyist Ron Owen be found guilty of inciting hatred against gay people, but in its ruling allowed for Mr Owen to continue to allow public displays of homophobia.

The Australian newspaper reported that Mr Owen was taken to the state tribunal by three lesbians due to the lobbyist displaying a sticker on his car stating “Gay rights? The only rights gays have is the right to die”, and reportedly caused the women distress.

Mr Owen was also reprimanded for comments made during a television interview over the case heard at the tribunal.

In the tribunal’s ruling, despite being found guilty of inciting hatred, it was concluded in the ruling that Mr Owen was “entitled to be a homophobe” and is “entitled to publicly express his homophobic views.”

“However there are limits,” tribunal council member Darryl Rangiah said while the ruling was being delivered.

The comments made during the ruling are expected to receive mixed reactions from lobbyists.

Mr Owen, who has already been fighting against the hatred charges for the majority of the year, is expected to appeal against the verdict made.

Tags: gay australia, homophobia