Gay man wins family values competition
A coalition of groups opposed to marriage equality removed an entry from a video competition they were running after learning it was made by a gay man. The group later reinstated it on appeal and it went on to win.
The Excellent Marriage video competition, held in the lead-up to yesterday’s anti-equality Excellent Marriage event in Hobart, asked participants to make videos about what constituted an excellent marriage. The winner, Rowan Carmichael, did not reveal that he was gay in his video and spoke about marriage in gender-neutral terms.
“I entered the competition because I wanted to show that a gay man can want an excellent marriage just as much as anyone else, and that we all have more in common than apart,” Carmichael said.
“When the organisers of the competition felt I was hiding something from them they removed my entry, but friends, family and some supportive clergy vouched that what I said in the clip is what I genuinely believe and it was allowed to stay in the competition.
“In the end I won by about 40 votes.”
Carmichael was congratulated on his entry by Cornerstone Hobart Presbyterian pastor and anti-same-sex marriage activist Campbell Markham and he has since been paid the $500 prize.
The Excellent Marriage forum was supported by groups including FamilyVoice Australia, the National Marriage Coalition and the Australian Christian Lobby. Speakers included former tennis champion Margaret Court, and former Liberal senator Guy Barnett who told participants same-sex marriage would cause profound injustices to children.
“Children should not be left vulnerable within a new and novel social experiment,” Barnett told the room.
A counter-vigil by marriage equality supporters outside the event, who held up signs declaring their relationships “equally excellent,” attracted a similar number of people.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesman Rodney Croome said the vigil was a great success.
“It was wonderful to see so many people from such a diverse range of backgrounds attending the vigil,” Croome said.
“As well as LGBTI people and our family members, there were representatives from the union movement, Young Labor and Amnesty International, and many young heterosexual families with children, and older heterosexual couples.
“Those attending the Excellent Marriage rally were under no illusion about how widely and strongly the pro-equality cause is supported.”
Amanda, thank you for your honest reply, my feelings are quite the opposite but rarely have I read an opposing side of this argument so well put. ‘ hate ‘ is an awful word and gets used so much that people have forgotten the feelings this word evokes. You do not hate me because I’m gay, that I believe but dislike certain people, quite normal for all of us?
Voting competitions of every variety should be banned, they never fail to stir up controversy, and they’re very unfair, as the person who has the most supporters and not necessarily the best entry can win & often does. I hate voting competitions with a passion. The organisers should not be so lazy and actually JUDGE each entry on its own merits.
Amanda, could you please point out these factual errors?
Hi Eva, I think it is not fair on Rowan to discuss as to why he was initially disqualified, but it was sorted out fairly quickly and he was invited to repost his entry. Like I said event organisers didn’t even know about his sexuality…not that it mattered. Also, he was not the only gay person to post an entry. It sure makes for a sensational story though and we are very disappointed that this has been printed. It is misleading and propagating the myth that Christians hate gay people. As always though, the media report what they like and the article contains a number of factual errors, unfortunately to this end. All I can say is ‘reader beware’…and if you think Christians hate gay people,…well, I just hope we can all get past this. Cheers, Amanda-Sue.
Just wondering if Rowan’s sexuality was not the reason behind his removal from the competition – what was?
Either way well done Rowan :D
I appreciate your article, but I think it is important to point out that Rowan was initially disqualified for reasons not at all to do with his sexuality. We were completely unaware of his sexuality nor did it have any baring on his entry to the competition. We were happy to award him his prize and have met this lovely young man. The Excellent Marriage seminar was well attended by almost 400 Hobartians and a group of very welcome, enthusiastic protesters. As Christians we very much value marriage and don’t want to see it redefined. We totally respect the right of all to have their opinion and would not want anyone to feel that is devalued. I think it is a fundamental truth in any relationship, that one can disagree, but still love. I hope one day, we can all appreciate each others position. God bless all!