Anger as PM hints at marriage block
Australian marriage equality advocates say they are “deeply disappointed” with comments made by Prime Minister Julia Gillard that she may ignore the result of Labor’s National Conference in December if it votes in favour of changing the Marriage Act.
Gillard appeared to harden her opposition to same-sex marriage in an interview on Sky News last week, going further than hers line that she’d defer debate until National Conference to set the party platform on any changes, telling host David Speers the conference does not set government positions.
“What the National Conference does is it sets the platform, the aspirations for our political party but always government, Labor Caucus in government makes decisions on government policy,” Gillard said.
When challenged as to whether she’d ignore the National Conference if it decides in favour of gay marriage, she said, “I’ve made my personal views clear and they’ll continue to be my views.
“I’m not as prime minister going to sit here and dictate who can come to National Conference and say what.”
Australian Marriage Equality national convenor Alex Greenwich said if the Labor Party voted in favour of changing the party’s position on gay marriage, Gillard should “respect the position and allow reform”.
Rainbow Labor launched a new website called www.ThreeQuestions.com.au for Labor supporters in favour of same-sex marriage to share their personal stories.
Gay marriage- the right to be recognised as a couple, by marriage, under the law, with no differences than any other married couple, including taxes, visitation in hospital, etc.
It will not undermine heterosexual marriages in any way- except you may have a few more women to fight for that perfect wedding dress ;P
In an interesting piece of news- when a state in America legalised gay marriage… they found there was an economic boom. As couples started getting married, they paid for permits, places, dresses, suits, shoes, food, flowers, tables, chairs, drinks, veils… it all added up. Not to mention honeymoons. It could actually do Australia some good in the same way… I mean, look at food. For example, a roast chicken, in particular. Someone raises the chicken, kills the chicken, then sells it, to be bought. Someone comes along, in this instance, say, a caterer, and buys the chicken. Then the caterer cooks the chicken, sells the cooked chicken as part of a course at a gay wedding… it’s a line. Each item comes from somewhere.
That’s just another look at how gay marriage could help Australia: how many areas will get an influx of money from catering to weddings?
Just think on that.
@ Dianne, I am saddened by your comment – and deeply sad for you. You are missing the entire point. This obviously has nothing to do with you, as you dont give a damn. For God’s sake I hope one day you awaken from your deep sleep. This is about LOVE and a couple asking for equality. That is all. There is no choice about loving another – it happens. I wonder if you are married? God help your partner, thats all I can say. To have a narrow minded partner as you would be like being in a prison.
Grow up and get a life.
my quetion is why homophobes are even on this website?
NIMBA, you should probably stay in the bedroom after all. Too many marriages are not about love, but they are meant to be. Homophobes are not born that way, nor are they unable to change. Homophobia is ignorance, and nothing more.
Homophobes were raised by parents with the same views, who in turn were raised by their parents that also had those views– and it all stems from religion. There is no reason to be homophobic that is not religious. That you, an atheist, would perpetuate that belief is even more disgusting to me than when the religious do it.
The current accepted definition of the word “Marriage” is totally irrelevant. Words are often used outside of their supposed meaning. Aside from that, language stems from culture– to define marriage as being one man and one woman stems from our outdated beliefs that homosexuality was wrong. If we do not move forward, the language will not change– using it as evidence is idiotic.
Finally, describe to me exactly how a homosexual marriage will undermine your marriage. Don’t give me some bullshit about you feeling that it will– give me a concrete irreligious reason that gay marriage will compromise straight marriage.
As an aside, despite saying “your marriage,” I really hope you aren’t married. You’re obviously not fit for partnership, given your views.
Tracey, while there are many like you who feel like you do, there is none the less many out there who feel it may.
To davo, I can not see the homosexual world being any different to the hetrosexuals. The only thing that kept marriages together in the old days was ‘fear of god’ and fear of going to hell, together with the overwhelming social and legal standards of the time. More modern people do not have those fears.
To Anita, I am athiest, therefore do not act on the bible. It has everything to do with everyone in the community. Including Homophoebs, who very much so are born that way.
A democracy is very much about ‘the majority dictating to the minority’. That is the one most basic fact about a democracy. For as long as Homophobes make up a majority, it is Democracy which gives them the right to dictate their views.
There are plenty of Homophobes who are ‘born that way’, and they very much make up the majority of humans on this planet. In Australia, and most other countries around the world.
Marriage is not about love, it never has been and never will. It is about a unionship of one man and one woman, along with the traditional culture and socially accepted definiiton of the word marriage as being a unionship between one man and one woman only.
While the history of this may have been different, the recent history has been very strict on that.
Straight people have nearly screwed up the sanctity of marriage. We need to show them how to do it right. Gay people getting married would help decrease the divorce rate and bring some stability to the institution of marriage. The only thing we want to undermine is the dismal percentage of marriages that end in divorce. Straight people have nothing to be proud of with their record on marriage.
You, Diane make me disgusted and ashamed to be from the same country as such narrow mindedness. I am not gay but I have absolutely NO issues with same sex couples getting married in fact I am completely comfortable and accepting of the idea.
We are all Australian’s and therefore should be entitled to the same treatment and protection under the laws made by our Government. However that’s not the case at all, and that makes me ashamed and sad. As Australian’s I think we should be better than that, and above such petty arguments against people who deserve as much happiness and fulfillment in their lives as the rest of us.
Anyone who is opposed to that is against democracy, freedom and basic human rights. Because all your doing is allowing haters and people who cannot accept any way but their own to dictate to others how they should be living their lives.
People they don’t even know, and probably never will. That is exactly what races have done all over the world. assume they know better and force their beliefs on those who aren’t even given the opportunity to state their case before ‘the powers that be’ and to the rest of the country.
And what are we doing now? Exactly that and I am above the need to suppress other Australians rights and basic freedoms just because they might not be like me. It’s petty and it’s wrong, that is their private business therefore it shouldn’t even factor into whether they deserve certain rights or not.
That we’re even still talking about this subject is ridiculous the world has come so far and yet that there are people who are against moving forward and want the same old world prejudices upheld astounds me.
Same sex couples are no different to anyone else other than what they do in their personal relationships they make up the workforce, they vote, so why shouldn’t they be allowed to get married because apparently the bible objects, it also says ‘let he who is righteous cast the first stone’ and religious repeatedly do this.
If you are against it for religious reasons then leave them to be judged by god and mind your own business.
Way to go Tracey, also as a middle class, middle aged married woman with children I am with you all the way. I am back this morning from a tour to Canberra with Shelley Argent lobbying the MPs for same sex marriage, we are spreading the message. All in favour please write your stories and make an appointment with your federal member and take your story to them (just speak from the heart)… they NEED to know you, all your family and friends care and support this issue. Pen to paper today PLEASE, help us to help you.
As a middle class, middle aged, married woman with children, I want to note that it is attitudes like this that turn me away from the Labor Party. I wish our political leaders would stop making the issue of marriage equality about them and do the right thing. To assume that gay marriage will undermine my heterosexual marriage is insulting. Julia Gillard is further proving that she is in the wrong political party. We all deserve the same rights. This is a free country still.
Dianne, at what age did you choose to be straight??
Yet another example of the callous disregard our PM shows for her people-think about a young person Julia who grows up to realize that they are not equal under the eyes of the law. It’s not as if we’re going to get married in droves-it’s just our fundamental right as human beings. She can marry her domestic partner any time she chooses and is all but rubbing it in. All I can say if she continues on this road she better not publically tie the knot.
Your our personal views Gillard, should have nothing to do with it!! Just like you don’t give a shit about our personal views, we don’t give a fuck about yours!!! You have worn this excuse out.
Dianne, we didn’t ‘choose’ to be in same sex-partnerships. It’s perfectly natural for us and we can not live in any other way – as it would be against our nature. In this day and age, if you can not understand this, then perhaps you should spend more time educating yourself on your own bigotry and less time writing uninformed garbage.
And you’re right, we can’t force you to change your views – I don’t really care what you think.. You’re welcome to stay narrow-minded, but you’re not welcome to allow that narrow-minded bigotry to affect the way I live my life.
Thanks
Dianne, it’s not all about you love. Nobody gives a crap what you think. We just want equal rights. Whether you accept it or not is your business, but you have no right to dictate to others how they live their lives.
Here’s a question for you: if gays can get married will it any way whatsoever affect you? I mean at all? No? I didn’t think so. So what’s the big deal?
Perhaps its time for those of same sex orientation to recognise they cannot force those of us who do not agree with their views to do so – even if the law is changed. Does the law as it stands change your minds? You chose same sex partnerships regardless of the law and live as married people anyway regarless of the law.
If the law doesn’t change what you do and how you live now why do you who are of same sex orientation believe changing the law will make those of us against your postion change ours?
“I’m not as prime minister going to sit here and dictate who can come to National Conference and say what.”
…no, but you’ll dictate who can marry who
well Juliar… I’ve made my personal views clear and they’ll continue to be my views…. you’re a dumbarse!
Latham, Beazley, Rudd, Gillard, … The list of ALP “leaders” who follow the narrowminded continues.
Don’t ask us to help defend this country. Ever!
The majestic winds of freedom are blowing across Australia. They are eloquent to watch. They unite our nation to fight for justice and freedom for all Australians. We have come far together, at times our great journey has been hard, our best days are coming thanks to the Greens. These will be the days when we can work freely, live freely, and love as any other person. It will be a time when the first lesson of a child is not oppression by government, but justice for all, and where those of us who are old and need care, are no longer denied access to Nursing homes.
Equality is happening. It is already transforming us, it is forming public debate. The shouts for justice, for freedom, for equality before the law are deafening the Prime Minister. Marriage Equality is getting people talking about the many areas of injustices we still have, and has made many in the community determined to give us all equality before the law-to make us equal citizens.
So we will continue our march along the yellow brick road, and the winds of change will guide us to freedom, to the Promised Land, where we can ourselves, free.