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Ananija Ananievski's Facebook campaigning for election to Darebin Council has been labelled homophobic.
A CAZALY Ward independent council candidate has used Darebin Council’s Facebook site to make comments branded homophobic.
In Macedonian, Ananija Ananievski said if he won the election he would rid the community of "crap" such as homosexuality parades, according to the translation into English.
He also wrote that he was not afraid of gays and that every normal person should know that normal, healthy marriage was between a male and a woman.
When a fellow poster asked whether he would dare make such homophobic comments in English, Mr Ananievski responded saying Macedonian language was the official language of Darebin.
Thornbury resident Liz Landray, a representative from a council advisory committee, Sex, Sexuality and Gender Diversity, established earlier this year to advise on ways to combat sexually based discrimination, called on Darebin to better monitor its Facebook site.
She said it should have been taken down during the pre-election caretaker period.
"It’s disappointing to see Facebook was available to be used in a very homophobic way," Ms Landray said.
"It’s disturbing the platform was used for excluding and pointing the finger at different parts of the community."
Mr Ananievski, a 21-year-old university student, denied his comments were homophobic.
"I’ve got friends who are members of LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and intersex)," Mr Ananievski said.
"I’ve sat on the same table with them.
"I’m not scared of gays."
Mr Ananievski said he was opposed to same-sex marriage because it went against his Christian values.
Darebin Council removed the post yesterday.
Acting chief executive Daniel Freer said the matter had been referred ``to the appropriate authorities''.
``To ensure a fair and unbiased election, electoral content is not permitted on council's Facebook or Twitter pages during the caretaker period,'' Mr Freer said.
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