Marriage battle showdown
The Greens have ramped up their push for same-sex marriage as the first, and only, public hearing for theThe Greens took place in Melbourne on Monday.
Greens Leader Bob Brown and party spokeswomann for sexuality and gender identity Senator Sarah Hanson-Young launched a pro-gay marriage postcard campaign at Melbourne University a day earlier, pledging support for gay marriage ahead of next year’s federal election.
The postcard features a picture of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and another man arm-in-arm in front of a wedding cake with the words ‘Say I do, Mr Rudd…’ which the Greens intend to present to the PM.
“The majority of Australians think people should be able to marry who they want,” Hanson-Young said.
“This is not a gay issue, it’s a human rights issue. Although not all same-sex couples want to get married – just like not all opposite sex couples want to get married – it should be their choice how they celebrate their love, not the government’s.”
Hanson-Young called on Rudd to allow MP’s a conscience vote when the amendment bill goes through parliament.
The bill has prompted a flurried response from the wider community with the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee receiving more than 20,000 submissions in around two months.
The committee confirmed on Monday that 16,752 emails were received against amending the Marriage Act to include same-sex couples, while only 8,666 emails had been received for.
However, of those emails against, some 8,906 were one-line statements opposing the bill because it would change the historic meaning of marriage.
The Australia Family Association’s submission stated marriage should be reserved for male and female only couples.
“We submit that marriage deliberately identifies and protects a particular type of relationship – the uniquely pro-generative male-female relationship – which carries a unique (and not inconsiderable) significance for both contemporary Australian society, and for the entire human species.”
Melbourne will hold a pro-gay marriage Equal Love Rally on November 28 – two days after the committee is due to hand down it’s report.
The rally marks a year-long campaign to push the Federal Government for action on same-sex marriage ahead of the 2010 election.
Bob Brown you and your Green buddies are the best – you have my full vote!!!!
Why should a conscience vote be necessary from our elected politicians when it comes to homosexuality equality issues ?
Homosexuals are not any a lessor human being to suggest they should come down to other people’s conscience.
My love for my partner of the same sex is not about somebody else’s need to feel the ratification of his or her conscience to give me their blessing.
I find this concept pernicious in the pursuit of our rights as homosexual Australians because we firstly have to jump the hurdle of our politicians prejudice’es.
This is not fair.
It should be about full Legislative equality for all Australians,regardless of their sexual orientation, skin color or religious practice’s.
Sarah Hanson -Young may not be aware but in the early 80’s in NSW the Wran Labor Government allowed it’s members a conscience vote in the Legislative Council when it came to decriminalising male homosexuality.
It should never be about one’s conscience,it should be about treating all Australians equally.
If there is one lesson I have learnt in my many years of gay rights activism (and I am in my 50’s) it has to be when getting too far out in front of people they can’t see you.
And if they can’t see you,you have lost them.
It’s that simple.
We need to bring the Australian public with us on the issue of same-sex marriage or civil union recognition.
So I suggest gay marriage my not be achievable in our short term and because of this those seeking homosexual law reform should focus on what is actually within arms reach.
It’s a-bit like a clucky hen laying six eggs.
I might excitingly suggest to my friends I am gonna have 6 fluffy chicks.
That may not be the case because 6 eggs may not hatch into little fluffy chicks.
So what I am saying is you can’t count your chickens before they hatch, otherwise you may be disappointed in the end.
I am personally not interested in the white picket fence with the pink roses that crawl up it.
But if others in our community want to copy an institution that isn’t necessarily sound that’s a matter for them.
We have seen recently with Centrelink changes bringing in line equal treatment for same-sex couples as those already afforded to opposite -sex couples that actually lowered our fortnightly payments and living standards.
So I suggest to all of those running across the busy road on this issue to be mindful that they don’t trip and fall.
Be patient and pragmatic about what’s achievable for homosexual Australians and eventually the battle will be won.