Wentworth supports marriage equality
Malcolm Turnbull has released the results of his survey of the residents of the seat of Wentworth and a clear majority support same-sex marriage.
Out of nearly 2,500 respondents, more than 72 percent supported the legalisation of same-sex marriage, while only 16 percent supported civil unions, 7 percent opposed any recognition and 3 percent opposed same-sex marriage but did not express a view on civil unions.
Many high profile Australians who are residents of Wentworth took part in the survey and showed their support for marriage equality.
The former NSW Premier and Liberal, Nick Greiner, wrote that marriage equality was ”self evidently a matter of justice.”
“It in no way stops religions or individuals acting in accord with their conscientious views. Also [it is] not a left/right issue. Support for [this] proposal is consistent with conservative support for marriage and for stable long-term relationships as well as individual freedom,” Greiner wrote.
Former Australian Medical Association President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, wrote that it was an issue of separation of church and state and respect for same-sex families.
“It is essential that the political/legal and religious aspects remain separated, as the majority of mixed-gender Australian couples currently choose to marry outside of a religious ceremony, and religions differ from each other on their positions with regard to performing marriage ceremonies for same sex couples,” wrote Phelps.
“Similarly, there needs to be a separation of procreation from marriage. Many couples currently marry with no intention or biological ability (for instance because of age) to procreate. Yet increasing numbers of same-sex couples are having babies and raising children. Those children deserve their families to have the same rights and protections as children of mixed-gender couples.
“The suggestion of civil unions is an insult which would serve to perpetuate the inequality by creating a two-tier hierarchy of relationship recognition. It is not true that civil unions in other countries confer the same rights. It is not equality unless it is truly equal and I would not personally get ‘civil-unioned’, just as I suspect the majority of mixed gender couples wanting to marry would resist being forced to call their relationship a civil union rather than a marriage.”
The St Vincents Hospital’s Dr Alex Wodak, wrote that there would be public health benefits from marriage equality,
“I am ashamed that homosexual friends of my wife and I do not have the same options that we have had,” wrote Wodak.
“I have spent the last 30 years in efforts to try and reduce the harms of HIV. We should also do everything we can to help gay couples stay together to protect public health.”
Many of those who left comments opposing same-sex marriage cited religious arguments or wrongly believed that religious groups would be forced to marry same-sex couples if marriage equality were legalised.
Here’s hoping – it seems to be a done deal that AU gets gay marriage or at least a national CU bill with ALL the rights of marriage.
And if it does, we’ll hear more squeeling from the church of the endless hidden molestation of children. the church which moved known guilty priests to new locations to let them continue their crimes instead of dragging them off to the police in chains.
The church of adoph hitler, still not EXcommunicated, despite the church’s campaign for life.
the church whose german born pope from the nazi era in 2009 UNexcommunciated Bishop Williamson, a holocaust denier.
I think the AU people are smart enough to pass marriage equality for gays, and never ever again give this church a penny.
er, sorry Malcolm…Malcolm not Michael as in my previous post…
You think YOUR country is behind, kitty?!? Try living in the “freest” country in the world(the U.S.)!!
Good on Michael. That is a lot more than our local member, Kelvin Thomson has done; that is he has done NOTHING. Good ‘ol Labor…It is not unique that the small ‘l’ Liberals lead the way on such social justice issues.
@James:- Malcolm Turnbull as Opposition Leader publicly opposed same-sex marriage and backed civil unions. Whether he changes that position in light of the electorate feedback is yet to be seen.
A federal civil union is better than nothing at all. The positive responses that I’ve had from both liberal and labour (and I’ve written to every mp and senator) is minimal. The ones that you would have though have given a positive response eg Danby can’t even be bothered to reply and I written up to 10 letters/emails to him. The mish mash system of states civil unions are nonsense. Apart from the Tasmanian one most other countries dismiss them out of hand. I’ll be really disappointed if we come out with nothing at the end of this, no civil union, no international recognition of an Australian civil union, no recognition of foreing civil unions/marriages by Australia and no ceritifcates from foreing embassies to perfom a civil union or marriage abroad. Marrigae would be great but at the moment we’re so far behind every other country and that’s shameful…
Our current federal government was formed on a majority of 50.5% with help from Independents and Greens … and we are debating about legalising Same Sex Marriage, which has a nationwide support averaging over 70%. This statistic is not supporting marriage-like institutions (civil unions, council relationship registers etc.) but Marriage. Marriage just like straight people can enter into. Politicians need to ask themselves what kind of support does any other ethical issue have which even comes close to 70%, and then just act on the basis of majority thinking. Turnbull can act with these statistics, which reflect all recent Galaxy polls on the issue. Time for action, no more consultation. I can tell you now Malcolm if you step up to the plate and get Abbott out, you have my vote if you stand on a policy of passing Same Sex Marriage in your first term, and I have never voted Liberal in my life!!!!
I think Malcolm has always supported same-sex marriage – (hence his enthusiasm for this survey). I thought he was a great leader and was really sad to see him go.
Well good for Malcolm Turnbull. It’s nice to see that a politician consulting his electorate.
You know, like they’re meant to?
Unfortunately MP Malcolm Turnbull has yet to publicly take a side. When I spoke to him about marriage equality, he told me that he’s hoping for a solution that will keep everyone happy. In the meantime, he supports Civil Unions.
He reckons that our opponents fall into one of three categories, the homophobes, the religious right and those who believe the word “marriage” should be reserved for straight people.
In my opinion, the Civil Union option pleases nobody. The majority of the GLBT community wants full marriage rights and the homophobes/religious right/”marriage protectors” want the status quo.
As a politician, he obviously wants to keep as many votes as possible, but on this topic there is no way to keep everyone happy. His survey proves that the majority of his electorate supports same-sex marriage, so if he wants to minimise the number of lost votes, it only makes sense for him to come out as a supporter of full marriage equality. What’s he waiting for?
Come on Malcolm, now is the time to be a leader and come out.