Protesters face off in Perth
Marriage equality activists threw glitter, waved placards and chanted at security outside the Rally for Preservation of Marriage held at Margaret Court’s Victory Life Church Centre in Perth last night.
About sixty protesters gathered to voice their opposition to the church’s stance on equal rights for same-sex couples to marry.
Protesters attempted to drown out Christian rock music blaring from speakers in front of the centre with pro-marriage equality chants.
At one stage the demonstration looked to be turning ugly when protesters engaged several conference marshals in a heated debate, however the situation was defused and the protest for the most part remained noisy but peaceful.
The protest was organised by Equal Love, with support from NUS, ECU and Curtin Student Guilds.
“We’re discriminating against Margaret Court’s right as a celebrity to come out and spew this homophobic filth and attack us with that and try and propagate this idea that there’s some sort of second class citizenship for gay and lesbian people,” Equal Love’s Sam Cavallaro said.
“We have nothing against the church, nothing against Christianity there’s plenty of church groups that support us and support equal marriage rights.
“It’s just these people feel that they should not just have their opinions but go as far as to have conversion therapy to try and convert people into being heterosexual. What we’re protesting about is some real acts of hatred against the queer community.”
Speaking outside the rally, Pastor Barbara from Victory Life said that the protest had been expected, observing that she found it ironic that the protesters were describing marriage as a civil right,
“They are saying that marriage is a civil right but Margaret Court has said that all along, that if they want to pursue a civil recognition in the law courts, the law courts of this land are civil and they will do that – but to enter into the foray of marriage which we believe is biblical based, it’s a divine sanction – God ordained it between a man and a woman – we just don’t feel that’s right,” she said.
“We’re not against them, we’re just saying that we do not feel that it is right at this time; we feel every child needs a mum and a dad and a family.
“We’re just standing up for family in our nation.”
Full coverage and photos of the protest from OutinPerth here.
Only Wouter knows, not other Christians? Other religions are accepted, as long as they follow Wouter’s fundamentalism? His families are better the other families? His marriage is more valid then others? God personally blesses him and his family? Wouter clearly needs to feel powerful…. . But this is all about hate and intolerance, not a belief about marriage. Certainly not like any God most Christians know of. Putting the existence of homosexuals down as abnormal is crazy, what next, the gay animals and inscects are also not natural? This is simply horrific homophobia, it is at odds with humanity. Wouter ask us to change the natural order of things. The Nazi party said similar things about People of the Jewish faith, as well as same sex attracted people, qouting God. We were gassed and tortured. I simply do not understand that hate, and the need for power over the lives of others that The Wouter’s seek.
wouter, you are an idiot. Gay relationships are not abnormal and do not lead to destruction and death. And yes, you do hate gay people or you wouldnt say such a pathetic thing.
It saddens me to hear that there are Christian churches who support gay marriges. It’s all about love is love as one of the prostesters had on her card. Love is love and these protesters are confused about what real love is. Real love is what God has for all mankind. If you love your brother like yourself, you would want the same blisfull relationship that can exist between man and woman and the stable family life you want for yourself. This can only exist if this union is blessed by God and the Bible is very clear about same gender relationships and sex. We do not hate gays and lesbians, we simply hate sin and the results of sin which is confusion and living in a abnormal relationship that leads to destruction and death. Standing up for marriage is not hate…it is love!
Well the Hate Thy Gay Neighbour brigade have joined us. Please just do ask for donations you lot.
Hmm, a lot of hate and oppression directed at the meeting by those demanding tolerance. I guess Lefties love free speech as long as you agree with them, otherwise be prepared to be screamed down. And for what it’s worth, I have no objection to gay marriage.
They’re a sad bunch. It must be a real drain to have that much hatred surging inside you all the time, it’s a wonder they haven’t spontaneously combusted already. They could be waging war on poverty, domestic violence or heavy substance abuse, all of which are more immediate threats to gays than not being able to marry.
They’re just bored people living miserable lives, and are too scared to address their own issues so they take it out on others. They’re no better than schoolyard bullies, except most schoolyard bullies eventually grow out of their anti-social behaviour.
In reply to Mac. Do you call it hatred to uphold the Word of the Living God, whom one day we must all stand before and give account to? The Bible clearly states in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life”. Would you call that hatred on Gods part? Would you call that hatred on the part of Ps Margaret Court, and millions of other Christians around the world who preach the exact same word? As for waging war on poverty, Victory Life have an out reach program that helps to feed and clothe the needy in our community. This ministry is operated faithfully by people who are obedient to God to feed and clothe the less fortunate in our community. They also operate the Kings cafe to feed the community. They also have various ministries to help people with domestic abuse and many other social issues. So please check your facts first before you criticize these people. Ps Margaret Court has never said she hates gay people. Shes preaching the Gospel and trying to get people saved from the coming wrath of God on the world. God loves the sinner but He hates the sin.Yes, according to the Word of God, homosexuality IS a sin in the eyes of God!(Romans 1:24-32)(Revelation 21:8) I suggest you get yourself a Bible, preferably King James and read up for yourself. You can mock and show scorn all you like but, no matter what, Jesus IS coming back and He WILL judge the world. Every person will stand before Him and we will be required to give account to Him.(Romans 14:11-12)You can either choose to continue mocking Him and His people, or you can choose to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, because He died on the cross and shed His blood in our place. He took on the sin of the world so that we wouldnt have to go to hell for eternity!You may want to ask yourself “Are these the actions of a God who hates the worlds people? He would send His only begotten Son to die a horrible and gruesome death so that we , who believe on Him can have everlasting life?” Think about that. The choice is yours!
These protestors look like a tolerant bunch (cough).
These protestors saved lives. They gave hope. They challenged tyranny. They were outnumbered but stood up to the oppressors. I am proud of them. I cannot imagine what it is like for a child who is same-sex attracted, and their parents drag them along to a Hate Thy Neighbour fund raiser and are told God hates you, you are a threat to other children, you are a threat to society.
The Bigot industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. It results in bashing and killings, in suicides, and a life of luxury for those who peddle the God of hate. The ATO needs to crack down on the tax exempt status of some cults.
“every child needs a mum a dad and a family”. Well I guess we should just make single parenting illegal. Makes just as much sence.
In reply to Cara. God knows that marriages do break up and that many parents do become single. It is NOT a crime to become a single parent when a marriage breaks down. What Ps Margaret is saying is that children need a mother and a father ideally and Gods intention for marriage is that between a man and a woman.(1st Corinthians 7:1-4)The book of Song of Solomon is a perfect example of an ideal marriage between a man and a woman. Before making any statements to the contrary, I challenge you to get a bible, preferably a KIng James and study the Word for yourself. If we make statements, we need to be prepared to back them up with the Truth.
They’re a sad bunch. It must be a real drain to have that much hatred surging inside you all the time, it’s a wonder they haven’t spontaneously combusted already. They could be waging war on poverty, domestic violence or heavy substance abuse, all of which are more immediate ‘threats to families’ than gays wanting to marry.
They’re just bored people living miserable lives, and are too scared to address their own issues so they take it out on others. They’re no better than schoolyard bullies, except most schoolyard bullies eventually grow out of their anti-social behaviour.
Those pro-gay protesters picked the wrong place to protest. Their claims of not attacking marriage now look less credible than ever. They would have been more credible if they’d chosen to protest outside Centerlink (a government run agency) or even a government office it would have made more sense.
The way the pro-gay-marriage protesters did the protest makes them look more like a cult trying to snuff out a rival religion.
Biblical based? Huh? Where is it one man and one woman? Hogwash. Biblical times women were quiet. Men could have more than one, even take the wife of a dead brother. Sell the daughters was ok, and (to note) Jesus spoke about adultery, lust, and sexual honor. Jesus said nothing about homosexuality. So, if we want biblical models, great, that at least cuts women out of the discussion.
This is about the money; it has always been about the money. Unite the flock against an enemy, if one is not around create one. The argument against Marriage is now about “Saving the Children”. It has extended beyond a biblical belief, into hate. GLBTI people have children now. Mainstream Christian Charities advertise for GLBTI Foster parents, and the polls show, over and over, the majority of Christians support gay couples getting hitched, so these groups cannot claim to represent mainstream Christian values either. This is about a few people who say God talks to them, and only they know truth, and their bank accounts and vanity. Suicide and gay bashings are simply collateral damage as the army would say.
I’m sorry – I will not engage in debate with people like these. How hypocritical! These people say they believe marriage is biblical based, yet these same people refuse to enter into discussion about repealing the Marriage Act and enshrining all relationships (gay or straight) in new non-religious-based legislation.
I gladly enter into discussion with those who do not quote religious positions, as I believe in separation of church and state.
The Marriage Act is a LEGAL, not religious, instrument – we seek equality under law.
Good on you guys!