Gaily Observer: Indonesia denies “decadent” claim | Catholics urged to not be “bullied” | Rainbow flag causes beach confusion

Indonesia denies gay marriage will change relationship with Australia

INDONESIA has denied Australian Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce’s claim that Asian countries would see Australia as “decadent” if same-sex marriage were legalised.

Arrmanatha Nasir from the Indonesian foreign ministry said that same-sex marriage was not their concern and that is was an issue to be decided by the government and has nothing to do with the Indonesian national law.

“I think that’s an issue that has to be decided by the government, or the authority, that’s discussing this issue,” Nasir said.

“In the context of [the Australia-Indonesia] relationship, it is always built on a mutually beneficial relationship.”

Currently in Indonesia same-sex marriage is illegal.

Catholic congregation urged to not be “bullied” into redefining marriage

DURING a sermon at Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral on the weekend, Archbishop Anthony Fisher has told a packed congregation that married Catholic couples must resist being “bullied” into redefining marriage.

With more than 120 couples joining the mass on Sunday morning to renew their wedding vows, Fisher said: “Marriage brings together… man and woman, sex and love, love and babies, parents and children.. To say this is not to criticise anyone.”

Fisher also spoke of how those who opposed same-sex marriage were often labelled as bigots.

“To say marriage is special is not to demean these other realities, rather it respects the diverse ways of being human and loving, not pretending away the differences,” he said.

Rainbow flag at North Carolina Beach creates confusion

A RAINBOW flag erected at Carolina Beach in the US state of North Carolina has caused confusion for some beach-goers.

The flag was raised by lifeguard Zach Hupp in support of the LGBTI community on the national holiday of Fourth of July.

“Pretty much immediately someone complained,” Hupp told WECT news in America.

“They thought because I was flying that flag that I would only rescue gay people.”

Hupp said he just wanted everyone to feel accepted and safe.

“I feel like with that flag, I would hope that everyone would feel welcome to come down to the beach,” he added.

The flag was soon taken down by town officials who have since amended official policy to be more specific on which flags are permitted to fly, claiming that public servants on duty must stay unbiased and make sure patrons are safe.

According to the TV news report, the beach uses different coloured flags to indicate current beach conditions.

Hupp said he was given a warning for the incident.