Conservative politician Fred Nile on ABC's Q&A in 2013. He failed, so the following year, he introduced a bill to (finally!) end the "vilification of heterosexuals". The Reverend Nile, leader of the Christian Democratic Party, has long been a protester at Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and is notorious for praying for bad weather to ruin the event. He will be joined on the ABC panel show by veteran gay rights activist and author Dennis Altman, singer and actor Paul Capsis and two female panelists who are yet to be confirmed, according to SameSame. While the episode has already been dubbed "Q&Gay" by some, many are not amused by Nile's inclusion.

Fred Nile weds Silvana Nero in 2013. Nile asserts that only heterosexual marriages are acceptable. Credit:James Alcock "Fred Nile doesn't bring balance, he brings bigotry," tweeted @MJLeaver. "Chasing ratings and nothing more." "Why is Fred Nile on a special #QandA panel on gay issues?" asked @senthorun. "Having to justify our existence to bigots is not dialogue." Debate: Performer Paul Capsis says he doesn't think Fred Nile would have a career without his association with gay issues. "I swear to god, if there are no bisexual or trans panelists but f---ing Fred Nile is there I'm going to throw my TV out the window," one person posted on Facebook.

However, Capsis welcomed Nile's inclusion, despite disagreeing vehemently with his views. "Whether we like it or not, he does represent people in the community who feel the same way; who are religious, homophobic, or outspoken about the fact they are against it [homosexuality]," Capsis told Fairfax Media. "The thing about living in a democracy, which I appreciate, is that people can say what they think. But then I have the right to reply, or say something to him, and live my life the way I want to." Capsis said that because Nile is an elected member of parliament, and has been prominent in his opposition to non-heterosexual relationships over many decades, his influence should not be lightly dismissed. "He's actually part of our community and our history. He should be there, in a way. A lot of others should be there too, like [prime minister Tony] Abbott."

At first, Capsis agreed only to perform a song at the end of the show. This morning, he accepted the producers' invitation to appear on the panel, too. He described Nile being on the show as "ironic". "Someone like him – a religious figure – is actually very connected to the queer community," he said. "I don't know he'd have a career if he wasn't so associated with gay issues. "I remember when I came out, a million years ago, he was a figure trying to stop us getting our liberation. When I came out, it was illegal to be gay. You'd go to jail. I can still remember that time, and the fear around that. Fighting for the right to be, and fighting this dreadful disease called HIV/AIDS. And juxtaposed with that was Mr Nile and his microphone." Capsis said he had watched Nile discuss his religious opposition to homosexuality before, and sensed that "he enjoys it; he has a little chuckle and gets off on making people angry".

On social media, others also expressed their support for Nile as a guest. "What good is a show if it's gonna [be] people agreeing with each other?" asked Callum Lees. "Besides, pretty sure Nile will get intellectually bitch-slapped multiple times. Gotta have someone on for the lulz."

On Thursday, a spokeswoman for Nile said in a statement to Fairfax Media: "The Reverend was extended a written invitation by the senior producer of Q&A to join the panel for a 'special edition', and without any hesitation the Reverend accepted. "The Reverend has been in the NSW Parliament for almost 34 years and for all those decades, he has always strongly protected the rights and values of traditional families, our Australian culture and way of life. "The most important messages which the Reverend would like to send is that it's crucial that those who defend their rights to traditional

marriage and family are not made to feel that they're discriminating in any way, nor are they being a bigot." Nile last appeared on Q&A in 2013, where he stated that homosexuality is a "life choice". Fellow panellist Lawrence Krauss, a theoretical physicist and cosmologist, quizzed him as to why homosexuality is "ubiquitous throughout nature ... in many species", including sheep. But Nile dismissed his example as "just a crazy mixed-up ram, that's all".

Q&A's executive producer, Peter McEvoy, said: "Next Thursday's Q&A [June 18] will present discussion and debate flowing on from the new Australian documentary Between a Frock and a Hard Place. "Between a Frock and a Hard Place examines the inspiration and social context of the iconic Australian movie Priscilla Queen of the Desert and highlights the extraordinary change in social attitudes and laws around homosexuality, masculinity and gender over the last 40 years, so it's appropriate to include some of the major protagonists in those debates such as Dennis Altman and Rev Fred Nile."