Anti-marriage psychiatrist offers to quit

Anti-marriage psychiatrist offers to quit

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) board member criticised for opposing same-sex marriage because it would damage “the health of our nation” has offered his unofficial resignation from the human rights body, The Age reports today.

It’s understood Professor Kuruvilla George, also Victoria’s deputy chief psychiatrist, will formally quit his position with the Commission this week following the controversy.

George was appointed to the Commission by Attorney-General Robert Clark last year.

The Age reports it’s likely George will offer his resignation this week.

Yesterday a spokesman for Clark said George was entitled to his views and would remain on the VEOHRC board.

“Dr George, like all other citizens, has the right to freedom of expression and is entitled to take part as an individual citizen in public debate on national political issues,” the spokesman said.

George was one of 150 medical professionals to sign a Senate inquiry submission opposed to same-sex marriage claiming that the recognition of same-sex marriage could potentially increase HIV rates and that children do better with a mother and a father.

Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby co-convenor Anna Brown told the Star Observer yesterday it was “fundamentally inappropriate” for a VEOHRC board member to advocate discriminatory views against same-sex attracted people.

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