The great red hope?

The great red hope?

Comment
Scott Abrahams
Editor

She may be Australia’s first female Prime Minister, but it is unlikely the change at the top will mean a change to Labor’s policy on same-sex marriage.
Quite simply, Julia Gillard has made it very clear she does not support same-sex marriage.

“Marriage is … between a man and a woman,” Gillard told Sky News in July last year on the eve of mass rallies around the country in support of same-sex marriage rights.

“I understand that this is an issue that we’ve got to deal with in contemporary Australian society with all of our history; hundreds of years of history in Australia and in western culture beyond about what marriage means.

“But we’ve said marriage is between a man and a woman. But we understand, I understand that there are other forms of committed adult relationships and that people want them registered and recognised. And we have obviously said in the past that we understand that there are schemes in states that are moving along to recognise committed adult relationships.”

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Of course one could argue that Gillard was just towing the party line – and that may wash for some.

But in the same interview, when pushed on the possibility of civil unions, Gillard stood firm.

“This is a Government that said when we ran for office that we recognised marriage was between a man and a woman but we did want to act on all sorts of discrimination against same-sex couples. And we’ve done that,” Gillard said, referring to the 85 pieces of legislative discrimination removed in the government’s first year of office.

“Across the suite of what the government does, whether it’s tax or social security matters, we’ve moved to end discrimination of the treatment of same-sex couples.”

Some activists have privately confided to the Sydney Star Observer that Gillard may well be the conduit of change within the ALP when it comes to furthering gay and lesbian rights – particularly those surrounding gay marriage – and may even move to legislate formal civil unions after she settles into the top job.

Of course that is just conjecture – and the proof will be in her performance.

What is pointedly clear, however, is that there is a definite mood of change with the ALP at all levels. And given the party is expected to lose power in most states as each one goes to the polls – particularly the Keneally Government in NSW – the change could well include a major woo to gay and lesbian voters.

Only time will tell.

Do you think Julia Gillard will do more for gay and lesbian rights now she is Prime Minister?
Add your comments below.

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32 responses to “The great red hope?”

  1. The Wicked Witch of the Western suburbs has finally spoken on plans to continue discrimination against our community.

    In a recent interview the new replacement Redneck Prime Minister of Australia, let us know she is planning no law reform in the many areas of discrimination we suffer. She has said she has done enough for our community and will in addition uphold the ban on Same-Sex Marriage.

    Let us look at what old Rusty Crutch has done. She sold out from the Labor Left to the Labor Extreme Right, also known as the Australian Christian Lobby. Not bad for an atheist; I do not follow God I just hate Gays like they do. She gave her partner a job that you and I could not get as a Health Ambassador for Nicola Roxon, and she also refused to condemn Israel as she allowed her partner to get a job with a lobbyist for Israel. It seems old Rusty crutch has become addicted to power like the rest of the bastards.

    This two faced bitch has sold us out. She is not fit to be Prime Minister. Let’s make sure she does not get our vote.

    http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/australias-prime-minister-julia-gillard-does-not-support-legalising-gay-marriage/story-e6frfku0-1225886049153

  2. Marriage, marriage, marriage…I’m sick of that word. I just want equal human rights. A public declaration of my committment to my wonderful man. Then I’d be a bit more responsible about my own image as a mature, intelligent gay male nun.
    Love from Hell xoxo

  3. John Kelly…your “Sources” are just as flakey as your poor attempt at humour.

    no doubt you are one of those bitchy , smug, internally homophobic gay liberal voters!

  4. I’m no expert. But I like change. Not so much in my own life. But in government. Much like Obama being elected the first black President, our first female PM is naturally pretty history-making stuff.

    There’s something about her that doesn’t quite sit right with me, but I can’t put my finger on it. I think she reminds me of an HR Manager more adept in politically correct diatribe than policy-making. Is it just me, or does she never actually say anything?

    I’m liking that she doesn’t appear to be in bed with the religious right. It’s been suggested, however, that she’s merely another partisan puppet. In which case, true equality – and being able to marry the person we love – may unfortunately be a while off yet.

    She’s said she’s a person of strong mind and character & would make decisions accordingly. Well, here’s hoping. As many have already acknowledged … only time will tell.

  5. A better question:

    “When will Australia have a gay prime minister just like Iceland?”

  6. I have been told Gillard is a lesbian.. And great in bed I can underatand with that nose.

  7. “personally attack and name call opponents to the idea, are a tad insecure and also needing to hide their gayness and individuality by toeing the hetero line and playing house.”

    Pot. Kettle. Black. You said people in committed relationships have “a naff, boring life” before Phil responded to Eric’s comment.

    How a person publicly declaring their love to their same-sex partner in the form of marriage can be called “hiding their gayness” is beyond me.

  8. Many straight people are also reluctant to enter into marriage for whatever reason.

    The difference between a straight person who chooses to remain single and all gay people is that the straight person has a choice in the matter.

    The straight person can change his/her mind and marry if they want.

    All gay people are legally restricted from same sex marriage.

    We do not have a choice.

  9. With more & more countries (2 more this year already- Portugal & Iceland) adding Equal Civil Marriage & removing 2nd class citizenship for 1st class taxes paid, there is NO TIME TO WASTE on waiting & hoping for Gillard to throw us a few crumbs, the same way we waited in hope for Kevin2007.
    The ONLY way to smash our point across of full equal rights under the law, is to vote 1 Greens, and 2 Labor (that way Bob Brown can lead Gillard onto the right path with the Greens balance of power, that is growing every day).

  10. Phil: ‘prehaps (sic) for a lonely (sic), bitter and twisted person the above may be true. Show some concern for people in the community besides yourself.’

    Phil, plenty of gay people DESPISE the idea of gay marriage and they are far from bitter and twisted – methinks those like yourself who need to personally attack and name call opponents to the idea, are a tad insecure and also needing to hide their gayness and individuality by toeing the hetero line and playing house. Sow some concern for people in the community besides yourself – most gays I know don’t want or NEED to be in government certified relationships to be valid, happy, respectable people.

    Bitter and twisted because someone’s single and opposed to marriage? (Or lacking original identity as a gay man for needing to put on a crass gold band?)

  11. I apprehend from some of the comments above that the Labor Party has instructed their stooges to turn our attention away from the topic of gay marriage so Julia does not have to answer any hard questions on the topic.

    I hope the Labor Party strategy fails to achieve its gaols.

    As far as the assertion that the gay community has more important and pressing issues to deal with besides gay marriage;

    Dogs and sheep and horses can bond together but they cannot marry under the Federal Marriage Act.

    Dogs and sheep and horses also have more important and pressing issues to worry about than marriage.

    Animals don’t need to be married and according to our political and ideological leaders – neither do gays and lesbians.

    Julia, what is your position on same sex marriage?

  12. I guess we will wait and see what happens. What else can we do.

    We have many areas of discrimination, apart from Marriage, that we need addressing. It is nice though to see she is not associated with the Christian Right, and does not quote God to us all like Kevin Rudd did.

    My friends Trevor and Peter who were on Sixty Minutes with their baby’s from India, got invited to a function by her. They said she watched the reaction of other mothers seeing two Gay men and their twins, living in the outer suburbs. People were very supportive and happy at the function. Julie even invited them for a photo opportunity.

    The link below is about the appointment of her partner.

    http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/11/27/2431336.htm

  13. “…think there are more pressing issues than same-sex marriage for the GLBT community … as far as I am concerned marriage is a dead duck – be it for gay or straight couples.”

    prehaps for a lonley, bitter and twisted person the above may be true. Show some concern for people in the community besides yourself.

    Different issues in the GLBT community affect peoples lives in individual ways, for example no GLBT issues affect my life besides marriage.

    I have been in a relationship for 6 years and have watched my siblings, and friends marry before me even though I wanted to marry 5 years ago, and I also have children, and I just want to be seen in their eyes as being in a relationship that is as valuable as there peers parents.

  14. Marriage, marriage, marriage! Isn’t there other issues? Do you really want a $20000 wedding debt? A certificate to tell you that you have a boyfriend? Marriage will have to wait until the next generation if at all. What’s more important? knowing that you’ve been together for 10 years and have 2 rings on your finger (no ones stopping you have an engagement party and a wedding ceremony to give each other a ring), OR having a certificate in a storage box that you’ll probably forget you even have.

  15. Yes Ron..i couldn’t agree more !

    An Australian Prime Minister who is:

    An Atheist
    A woman
    An unmarried Woman ( who lives with her partner )
    A woman without children

    finally it seems we have broken down the white picket fence!!!

  16. I seriously hope Gillard has better priorities than gay marriage, I’m way over hearing about gay marriage, if I wanted such a naff, boring life I’d do it anyway without a wedding ring. Gay issues are about so much more than marriage.

  17. Well, one good thing as far as I’m concerned: it’s nice to have an atheist at PM for a change.

  18. My God – in the top job 10 minutes and the whole country loads there every expectation on to her.
    You can’t be all things to all people – time voters and politicians alike recognised that ..
    Oh, and Tony Abbot – taking the negative for no other reason than for the sake of it is hardly constructive politics now is it ….

  19. Time will tell. I think the likelihood of full equality for all Australians (including marriage) has a better chance under Gillard than it did under Rudd. And clearly a better chance than with Abbott.

    It’s time to bring issues around full equality for all Australians to a public referendum and let the electorate decide. If the country is ready for change let voters direct government on this matter.

    I’m tired of equality being a partisan, political football.

  20. Mariage this marriage that
    Bloody hell … there are more important things people ..
    Seriously – when did marriage become the be all and end all for the gay community?
    We’ve managed just fine without it all this time – I can’t see the point in trying to subscribe to some religious ceremony ….
    GET OVER IT PEOPLE and find a better bandwagon to ride!

  21. Julia Gillard:

    ” An unmarried woman living in sin with a male hairdresser”

    This is Historic indeed!!!!

    I’m thinking Closet Case. LOL

    will she support GLBT Rights..hmmm wait and see.

  22. Thank you Eric.
    I totally agree with what you have said and believe there are definately alot more pressing issues than just the same-sex marriage debate which is all I ever hear about .. and from someone in a LTR (e.g longer then 2 weeks) of 20 years the same sex marriage debate is the least of my issues.

  23. I think there are more pressing issues than same-sex marriage for the GLBT community …. care for our elderly and private superannuation entitlements are just two off the top of my head.
    Time we stopped harping on about marriage and looked at the more important issues that affect our day to day lives because as far as I am concerned marriage is a dead duck – be it for gay or straight couples.

  24. Rudd or Gillard – at the end of the day I doubt it will make any difference. It is still the ALP and it still believes love between two people of the same sex does not deserve official recognition.

  25. Dunno how I feel about this really …… I guess we will have to wait and see.
    I do think we should be cautious though and not expect Julia to change the party position on same-sex marriage overnight. It is more than just a change of policy, it is a complete change of public belief within the party.

  26. I doubt a change at the top will make any difference to the ALP stance on gay marriage and other gay rights reforms.
    That said, if Julia does push the party out of its comfort zone I will be the first to publicly stand corrected on this statement.
    I am, after all, an optimist!

  27. “Quite simply, Julia Gillard has made it very clear she does not support same-sex marriage.”

    Let’s hope she was just sprouting the party police at the time (and now of the past – hopefully).

    Bye, bye Australian Christian Lobby’s influence, I also hope.

  28. The only way Gillard is going to win the next election is with a major policy change. And no way will it be same-sex marriage, not while all the baby boomers are still kicking. She needs to come out with something new away from Rudd’s policies or how can we respect her?