Nationals vow to stop David

http://www.news.com.au/sundayheraldsun

HOPES of a future in politics for gay Big Brother and Dancing with the Stars contestant David Graham have been crushed by National Party MPs who have vowed to stop him.

Graham, a farmer and former model, famously "outed" himself on Big Brother last year.

He is a long-time member of the National Party, but his homosexuality has proved too much for some in the party.

They say his decision to declare his sexuality provoked a sharp backlash.

At least one senior federal MP has demanded the party stop Graham's progress.

Nationals sources say the campaign against Graham is being spearheaded by a mostly Catholic grouping in Queensland.

It's understood a senior Nationals MP associated with the grouping also tried to stop the appointment of another gay senior party official - but federal officials overruled the objections.

Senior Nationals aware of the backlash against Graham said in a statement to the Sunday Herald Sun this week: "The party platform is based on equal opportunity. We don't ask people their cultural heritage or their race.

"The same applies to their sexuality.

"There have always been gay members of the party and there always will be.

"Equally, there will always be some people opposed to that lifestyle and they'll be opposed to him (Graham)."

The same Nationals said Graham was currently federal membership officer for the Young Nationals.

In October last year he nominated for the role of state secretary of the Queensland Young Nationals, but was defeated.

Graham is a supporter of legalising gay civil unions - a stance at odds with his colleagues in Queensland's Young Nationals.

"That's just one thing I stand for," Graham is reported to have said.

"I've got very strong views on ethanol and bio-diesel and more police and more hospitals."

Graham would not comment this week.