Homophobia in the House

Homophobia in the House

John Howard was urged to overrule states that recognised same-sex relationships at a marriage conference at the national Parliament House last week.
The conference also heard homosexuality was an addiction that leads to obesity and sexual diseases.
MPs of both major parties were at the National Strategic Summit on Marriage with Attorney-General Philip Ruddock and shadow attorney-general Senator Joe Ludwig also addressing the mostly religious right crowd.
Sydney MP Tanya Plibersek said she attended for a short time to understand the views of those opposed to Labor’s policy of relationship registers.
“What I heard in that 20 minutes did not accord to my world view at all,” Plibersek said.
“I didn’t speak at the event but I certainly don’t think I would have convinced anyone in that room; they pretty much had their minds made up.”
Plibersek and Ludwig both reiterated their strong support for the state-based registers.
The conference was organised by Fatherhood Foundation president Warwick Marsh, who urged the MPs to block any form of same-sex relationship recognition.
“There’s an enormous push to give rights to adults but ignore the rights of children. Children have a right to a mother and father,” Marsh told SSO.
He called Labor’s registries “marriage-lite” and said government policies over the last 30 years had undermined marriage as financially unnecessary.
“In Tasmania, I think some 20 percent of the people registering are heterosexual couples. Now they can annul their relationship,” Marsh said.
“We’re also affirming gender, that men are indeed men and women are indeed women, and this is foundational for families. We’re against the deconstructionist movement.”
A 6,000-signature petition against same-sex relationship recognition was handed to the Prime Minister, who spoke with the crowd for 10 minutes.
It was Brisbane doctor Stuart Reece who told the conference homosexuality was an addiction that leads to obesity and sexual diseases.
When contacted by SSO for clarification of his comments, Reece said he would not speak to gay media.
Greens senator Kerry Nettle said the conference had no place at Parliament House, as hosting it amounted to promoting homophobia and hate.
“I don’t think it’s the role of Parliament House to promote that kind of hatred and hosting that kind of thing,” Nettle said.

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