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Rudd’s sister ‘must apologise’

By on July 14, 2011

Marriage equality advocates and Holocaust survivors have demanded an apology from Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd’s sister following her statement that marriage equality is being pushed by “a global gay Gestapo”.

In an interview with The Australian newspaper, Loree Rudd accused ALP members of being brainwashed after four state Labor conferences endorsed changes to the Marriage Act to allow same-sex marriage under federal law.

Australian Marriage Equality national convener Alex Greenwich said Ms Rudd’s statement had no place in mature public debate and will incite hatred against supporters of equality.

“We call on those who oppose equality to condemn Ms Rudd’s outburst, and for Ms Rudd herself to withdraw her comments and apologise for them”, Greenwich said.

“Ms Rudd has set back her cause by comparing supporters of civil rights to an organisation that was responsible for mass murder, including the mass murder of homosexuals.”

In the interview Ms Rudd admitted she was lobbying Labor MPs to reject marriage equality, threatening to quit the party if the party platform is changed at ALP National Conference in December.

A divorced nurse and devout Christian, she has written to every MP in federal parliament, fellow Labor members in Queensland and newspapers, stating her opposition to marriage equality.

She told The Australian that the former prime minister was aware of her views but that she had embarked on her campaign without his knowledge.

“I have been delighted with Kevin and then with Julia in her support of the traditional view of marriage,” she told the newspaper.

Rudd said there was a worldwide gay movement that “fed propaganda” to lobby for marriage equality.

“I call them the global gay Gestapo: it is the lobbying movement that is brainwashing people, particularly the young in the community that this (homosexuality) is an optional extra in life,” she said.

Her comments were also criticised by gay Australians affected by the Holocaust.

Holocaust survivor Frederick Weisinger, who lives in Sydney and wrote a submission supporting marriage equality to a 2009 Senate inquiry into the issue, said: “I spent three years in a concentration camp as a child, and I am horrified by this comparison between the Gestapo and ordinary citizens like me who just want to be treated equally.

“Before she makes such offensive comments, Ms Rudd should read about the horrors perpetrated by the Gestapo, particularly how it hounded, persecuted and killed homosexuals in large numbers.”

Marriage equality advocate Jackie Stricker-Phelps, who is the wife of former AMA President, Kerryn Phelps, also added her voice to the outrage.

“During the Second World War, members of my family had their human rights taken away and were murdered at the hands of the Gestapo,” she said

“To compare the work of today’s human right’s advocates to the atrocities of those monsters is a shocking indictment on anyone making these claims.”

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said that Rudd’s comments were “deeply offensive” and urged her to immediately withdraw her remarks, claiming they were homophobic and inflammatory.

“While all members of the Australian community are entitled to their personal views, it is extremely concerning that in the 21st century certain individuals think that it is acceptable to discriminate against others based on their sexual orientation,” she said.

“Everyone in Australia, regardless of their sexual orientation, has the right to be treated with respect and dignity, and to live their lives free of discrimination, harassment and bullying.”

About Drew Sheldrick

57 Comments

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  1. Sam

    July 19, 2011 at 2:22 pm


    Dave, what would you call yourself? one who forces their beleifs on others and is so demanding it comes across as arrogance. I take it your a non beleiver? Quote, “I will be forever watchful of people wanting to imprint their religion on others”, what do you think your doing Dave? um, exactly the same thing, post upon post. Some people have been so arrogantly parked inside the Darlinghurst ghetto that they havent a clue of any life outside it and thats so sad.

  2. Iain

    July 19, 2011 at 4:03 pm


    Dave, your perpetual victim mentality is getting really tired. Oliver is right, you have no idea about history. It is one thing to be able to look up facts and dates from wikipedia, however it is quite a different thing to understand what they actually mean. You are obviously trawling for information that supports your victim mentality with little to no insight into the nuances of this data. You are a contributing member of Australian society first and homosexual second. Remember that and you’ll go a long way, just like Oliver.

  3. Dave

    July 19, 2011 at 7:53 pm


    @Sam, or is that Oliver?

    Darlinghurst? Mate I live in a country town in Gippsland Victoria, far far away from Darlinghurst. And good luck to those that work or live in Darlinghurst, I have no problem with them. It is interesting how in another post Oliver said the Gay Community is not tolerant as he was not served in a Gay bar.

    “Gay Ghetto”. What is that?

    @Ian Fundamentalist abusers like you always like to blame the victim of their abuse. I can understand how you would never want people to use facts. And telling people what order to live? As usual!

  4. Oliver

    July 19, 2011 at 8:53 pm


    dave, now I know why you have so much time in your hands after reading your first line.

  5. Pingback: Rudd's sister 'must apologise' | Star Online

  6. LiveVegan

    July 26, 2011 at 5:27 pm


    Loree, Come join us in the 21st Century ;-)

  7. LiveVegan

    July 26, 2011 at 5:28 pm


    Heterosexism and homophobia is a form of discrimination. It causes violence. We must reject it.

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