Comments on: Marriage fight will go on

By: Brendan of Wollongong NSW

Brendan of Wollongong NSW — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:55:47 +0000

Conservative Baptist Liberal Senator Guy Barnett (TAS) – an Abbott acolyte from the religious right – was Deputy Chair of the Senate marriage equality inquiry.

The Hansard transcript of the public hearing shows the vile tactics this so-called “Christian” uses – the cruel depths to which he effortlessly sinks – in his shameful attempts to smear same-sex couples as unstable reprobates incapable and undeserving of the right to marry. This unctuous theo-supremacist also has the factional ear of his new leader who, unlike his predecessor, is NOT moderated by a high gay population in his electorate.

We might infer from all this that the Coalition may be about to lurch, either overtly or covertly, further to the right on more than just climate change. Forewarned is forearmed, ladies and gentlemen.

How about the Star run a standing feature, as part of the National Year of Action of Marriage Equality, listing every Member of Parliament, sorted by whether they are on record supporting, opposing or abstaining on marriage equality? Don’t wait until election time. Start now.

By: peter

peter — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:10:51 +0000

What a LOAD OF SHIT.We voted for him and this is what him and his colleagues in Canberra offer.WE,that is AUSTRALIA ARE A DISGRACE to the world.A TOTAL SHAMEFUL,DISGRACE.There are so many countries that have passed gay marriage laws.People should be boycotting MARDI GRAS,it obviously makes no difference.And as for dear Penny Wong and all our other G+L colleagues what a DISGARCE you are to the G+L community.Time to get on the plane and move to somewhere a bit more G+L friendly I think.

By: Lulu Surch

Lulu Surch — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:24:32 +0000

Out of 19 witnesses who were invited to appear, and whom appeared before the Legal & Consitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; 10 were against the Marriage Equality Bill & 9 were for.
Out of the 10 that were against, 9 of them are from solely religious establshments.

By: Lulu Surch

Lulu Surch — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:50:37 +0000

Dear Mr Rudd,

The majority of Australians support Marriage Equality.

The chapters supporting “The Case for Legalising Same-Sex Marriage out number the amount of chapters against.
More strikingly, it is evident beyond reasonable doubt, that the true motive behind all of the submissions into the Senate Enquiry supporting “The Case for Preserving The Status Quo” are from religious organisations, that believe that “homosexuality is not normal

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:33:41 +0000

John,

Gay marriage was accepted by the early Christian Church http://www.whywouldwe.net/site . It was also documented in pre modern Euorpe and Imperial China. Evan the famous Catholic Xavier noted on his travels to Japan how people did not care about same sex expressions of love.

The definition of Marriage in Australian Federal Law was only changed in 2004, by John Howard, to exclude people who happen to be gay or lesbian.

Many countries now have Gay Marriage and the world did not fall apart. In fact the institution of Marriage was strengthened by this.

The fact that you come to a homosexual news website, to attack people like us, indicates that you have deep homosexual thoughts. The more you go to places like this and abuse us, the more you try and say to yourself you are not gay. The fact is part of you clearly likes men or you would not be here. You are attracted to us. You have just have to learn to accept your homosexual thoughts. The good news is history shows us it is ok to be gay and get married.

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:50:19 +0000

John, what behaviour is it is of gay people that is disapproved of? Going to work, paying tax, being consumers, acting on instinct when attracted to someone? Allowing same sex couples to marry will not destroy the institution of marriage. It hasn’t in places where it is permitted. If you think it will somehow lessen your marriage relationship, whose strength is your responsibility, then that is absurd. The argument about allowing groups to marry if same sex couples are allowed to marry is nonsensical bullshit that the religious right throws in to cause offence. Although you might think you have the right to oppose whatever behaviour of gays you disapprove of, it is fortunately not illegal to discriminate against someone for being a complete fuckwit.

By: David Skidmore

David Skidmore — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:24:14 +0000

John, if we allow a man and a woman to marry what’s to stop a man from marrying a man? Shouldn’t we abolish marriage full stop? See, your “slippery slope” argument is inane. You can’t identify where “the slope” starts. We are saying the right of gays to marry the partner of their choice starts now and there is no logical argument against it. As for previous societies disapproving of homosexuality I couldn’t give a rat’s arse. Those societies are history and never to be seen again (thank Christ).

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:57:04 +0000

John, What are you doing reading a gay paper for…. You are nothing but a bigot…..

Marriage is an age old institution – actually its contract of sale of a woman to a man…. How wonderful an institution is that….

“No other culture n history…, has looked on homosexuality as ok” – Well got news for you – this culture does. Overwhelmingly the vast numbers of Australians see gay men and lesbians as being ok.. Its just the religious nutters like yourself that need to get over this need to put your noses into my life and tell me how to live it…

By: John

John — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:27:07 +0000

If gays can ‘marry’… then we must also allow groups to marry; ie. threesomes, foursomes… (why stop there?).

It’s not about equality at all. Call it for what it is. It’s about an age-old institution (marriage) being destroyed in a few short years by folks wanting their behaviour to be accepted by society. No other culture in history (regardless of what religion) has looked on homosexuality as ok. It’s not. Never has been. Never will be.

Gays have just as much right to ask that their behaviour be accepted as ok, as other members of our community have to oppose it.

By: gay activist Paul Mitchell

gay activist Paul Mitchell — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:04:04 +0000

This is a very sad day indeed for Senators to cave into bigotry and lies from the ACL and AFA submissions!!!!

What does this quote mean anyway???

“But Heterosexuals are just that bit more equal”

Equality or being equal means:
EQUAL, IDENTICAL, THE EXACT SAME.

“Mostly or nearly” equal – is NOT equal!!!!!!!!
“Some” equality – is NOT equality!!!!!!!
“A little” equality – is NOT equality!!!

Marriage is marriage; civil union is a Jim Crow laws of the 21st century!!!!

If we allow civil unions in Australia that means I have to shower, sleep, use a toilet or bubbler in a segregated place to others just like blacks did in the 1950s!!!!

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:58:23 +0000

What a sham…. With nice platitudes about wanting to support gay men and lesbians, it dismissed our call for equality. It is a sad indictment on this committee and its members (Greens members excluded) that it believes that all Australians are equal, but Heterosexuals are just that bit more equal and the best that we can have is a system of state based registration. Like that is going to happen any day soon.

The committee has referred it to another body to inquire about this. Well there’s another year of wasted opportunity.

This Saturday please go to the Rally for Marriage at Sydney Town Hall. Numbers people = voice. At this time we need voice; we need numbers to show politicians that this issue is not going away and that they need to do more for gay men and lesbians.

By: Sten

Sten — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:38:16 +0000

We will win! More than 60% of the nation supports Marriage Equality. Lobby, write to your MP and ALL of your Senators.
A single person who takes the time to contact their elected representatives in writing has disproportionate weight. They reach the desks of the politions not just the outer office.

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:36:55 +0000

The committee report available at http://aph.gov.au/senate/committee/legcon_ctte/marriage_equality/report/report.pdf

does not remove the ban on overseas marriages.

It simply makes it easier for same-sex couples to be married overseas by giving them official documentation…