Gay Aussie
justice raps for the arts

In his latest incarnation, Australian high court justice Michael Donald Kirby, a respected human rights activist and out gay man, can add "rapper" to his impressive resume.

On Monday, one of Australia's most revered legal minds appeared onstage with Melbourne rapper Elf Tranzporter to perform a rap duet celebrating human rights at the launch of Victorian Arts Law Week.

"I've got to say, this is a very important night," Kirby said with cheeky candor. "I don't see Sir Owen Dixon [an eminent Aussie jurist who died in 1972] coming here and doing this. I don't see Sir Wilfred Fullagar [another judge of yore] coming here and doing this. This is something new!"

The judge then threw off his conservative suit coat to reveal a bright yellow jacket and then walked offstage into the crowd, announcing it was preparation for his new role after retiring from the bench in two years' time, "when I'm going to become the Jerry Springer of Australia."

Justice Kirby's performance consisted of his reciting a poem by Yeats, "He Wishes for the Cloths of Heavens," while Elf Tranzporter beatboxed in the background.

Later in the evening, Kirby delivered a reprisal of the speech he gave at the opening of the 2002 Gay Games, where he declared, "We believe that the days of exclusion are numbered / The days of fusion are come / In our world, everything can find its place / By our lives, let us all be an example of respect for human rights / Fusion, not exclusion."

Monday's youthful crowd of more than 300 couldn't get enough of the rapping judge in what will surely be remembered as another incredible moment in an outstanding career. (Cath Pope, Gay.com/Australia)