The awarding of Australia’s highest honour to tennis legend Margaret Court has been mired in controversy after other recipients protested her inclusion over her stance towards same-sex marriage. Court, one of the world’s most accomplished tennis players, is expected to be elevated from her previous appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) to a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). But this has triggered outrage among some progressives because, as a Christian, Court holds religious views about homosexuality that has led her to be outspoken about her unsupportive stance towards same-sex marriage. Former ABC journalist Kerry O’Brien, who had been nominated for an AO in the 2021 honours, told NITV that he had chosen to refuse his Australia Day honour because he believes that Court’s views were “prejudicial” and “disrespectful” to many people. However, Obrien was quick to say it was Court’s right to express her views, as long as …