Two young gay men speak out against marriage equality in Australia
Two young gay men have released a video speaking out against marriage equality for Australia.
The men, posting on YouTube channel Our Vote Our Voice, say that coming out as gay was easy, but ‘coming out’ as conservative was more difficult.
“[People] hate me because I’m a conservative,” one tells the camera. “And they hate me more because I’m a gay conservative.
“Just because I’m against same-sex marriage—I’m gay, I’m not a homophobe.”
“You get attacked online,” says the other man, face blurred.
He says he has been accused of internalised homophobia.
The first man claims that the ‘no’ campaign has been “tremendously respectful” of LGBTI people.
Both say they agree with the arguments being made against marriage equality.
“Arguing for the traditional view of marriage… is not bigotry,” says the first man.
“If ordinary Australians saw these people who are pushing for same-sex marriage… they would be horrified. Most gay people would be horrified by these absolute radicals who want to tear the fabric of Australian society apart.
“They’re the ones using divisive rhetoric, calling people bigots and homophobes. I have not heard one anti-gay slur used by the ‘no’ campaign at all.
“Using the term ‘bigot’ in that situation is just appalling.”
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott tweeted his support for the video, posting, “It takes real guts to stand against the crowd. I was very proud to meet one of the gay students from QLD arguing strongly for family values.”
In a similar story, a gay couple who are also opposed to marriage equality drew criticism earlier this month after appearing on The 7:30 Report to discuss their views.
The two were concerned about the idea of a ‘slippery slope’ of further extending the right to marriage if it is granted to same-sex couples.
The marriage equality postal survey closes on November 7.
I’m invoking a Benjamin Law response to these two.
There is conservatives and evangelical conservatives !!! Get it right !!
Does this guy know David van Gend from Queensland?
It’s really odd that these type of people are only coming out now and not previously. Why?
How much do they get paid for espousing their views and who by?
Marriage equality is part of EQUALITY, which is what we’re truly aiming for!
‘Tear the fabric of Australian society apart’?
Please explain? The marriage act has been changed numerous times since 1961.
They don’t give sufficient reasons as to what they will do when there are treated like second-class citizens by homophobes.
What will they do when they have no rights to their partners in hospital, legal transfers, etc.?
‘Not one anti-gay slur from the no campaign’?
Hiding under a rock? Not seeing anything from Bernardi, Katter, Abetz, Hadley, Bolt?
Don’t they go on social media and see the vile vitriol that people comment on yes campaign sites?
It appears they haven’t been ‘out’ long enough to experience being verbally abused, bashed, or even worse, killed by homophobic hatred!
It’s not about marriage equality, it’s about changing the legal definition of marriage. Quite different.
I call bullshit! What are their names? Why is one mans face blurred? Listen to the choice of language, the delivery, the vagueness. I wouldn’t put it past the no campaign to have produced this.
Did you notice neither of the guys actually state why they are opposed to marriage equality
Thank you for treating their story with respect and not demonising them like so many have done.
These young people of course have the right to express their opinions and vote No.
Personally, whether I am GLTBIQ or Straight, I would never, ever consider getting married. I have seen far too many of my Straight friend’s marriages break down and end in very bitter divorces (and thanks to the Family Court’s bias, it has usually been the men who have come off worst). I have long-term GLTBIQ and Straight couples who have been together for many decades, including my own which lasted for a month less than 30 years. Yes, they fully admit their relationships have had their stormy moments but under-lying it all was/is a strong love and respect for each other.
I have also had a couple of Straight couples who decided after 15-plus years of unmarried life to get married. I don’t know what it is about Marriage but within months of their marriages they had split up. None of us could understand why.
That I would never, ever consider marriage is my personal decision BUT I have no Right to Deny any other couple – GLTBIQ (or Straight) THEIR RIGHT to get married.
That is why little old Gay me and my Straight Family have all voted FOR EQUALITY for ALL and voted “YES”.
With all due respect to these young people who Oppose Same gender Marriage. and therefore EQUALITY for ALL -I would ask them this:
“What possible Right do you claim to have to DENY People 100% Equality?”
This entire issue is about just one thing:
EQUALITY for ALL
Think on this:
For many decades simply to admit to being Homosexual – without even admitting or being caught having Sex – was a Criminal Offence. You simply went to prison and had a Criminal Record for LIFE which destroyed one’s Job prospects – is anyone would even employ us simply because we were Gay.
We fought long and hard to get the RIGHT – of which you young people are all Beneficiaries – to Love, Live with and have sex with the person we love..
I do tend to agree that the term “marriage” is a straight one. Heavens knows that if this goes through I will “not” be standing in a church with my partner, we’ll most likely have our ceremony on the beach.
However I think most people are focused on this point too much and are missing the whole point of the “fight”. It is about equality, about having the freedom of choice, the same rights as others.
Well said Dave. I’m of a generation that grew up when being gay was illegal. I learned that empathy and acceptance for other gays was necessary to survive, even if they were absolute twats. We respected and helped each other.
The lack of these traits in young gays today appalls me along with their lack of imagination and creativity.
Perhaps these two boys need to go on a holiday to a nation where gays are persecuted or killed to open their eyes.
“I’m against getting married therefore you are not allowed to get married.”
Yes, they are homophobes and yes they are bigots. Merely being gay doesn’t save them from being stupid, wrong, arrogant, vain, malicious and wilfully ignorant. The last part is the most important as these dingbats will learn to their discredit and harm, just when they need the protections of marriage most. Marriage is empowered in scores of statutes, and in institutional policy and practice (as in hospitals, among many others). Without marriage, the two same-sex individuals have no legal relationship to each other and, in the case of one of them, to their children. These come into play usually in emergencies (but also in ordinary life, as in the payment of income taxes). They can create an artificial equivalent, sort of, for some of this by a proper legal agreement between them, but not, by any means all as all the rest can be achieved only by getting married. The only way to achieve legal union (and equality) is through marriage.
Hi,
I could never imagine any gay person speaking against marriage equality. My own logic would say that the two go hand in hand, and that asking ‘why wouldn’t a gay person support marriage equality’ is just a rhetorical question. Apparently not.
It does illustrate that being straight or gay is just one of many characteristics that make up a person. Diversity, which our community so vigourously champions, is more than just the choice of who we want to love/sleep with. It extends to how we think, and how we treat others, and how we think on different issues, and so many other things.
Therefore I can only respect their current stance, but I can’t agree with it, and I can’t hate them for it, regardless of how subjective their arguments are. But I would hope that one day they see the light…….
I’m reminded of the county clerk officer in some state in America who took a stand after the US Supreme Court, allowed same-sex marriages to proceed in the whole country. She refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, claiming religious reasons. What was so hypocritical was that this county clerk had been married four times and had chicldren out of wedlock, so much for her religious stance. Surely such a fan of marriage would have favoured marriage for everyone.
Regards, Arthur
What is the arugment against same sex marriage from a gay man? At no point does he state an argument ! all this is, is critical stab a the gay community fighting for there civil rights…..don’t get your point here.
Please explain why you don’t want equal rights under Australian law?
Kid, You’re not called a bigot because you are homophobic, but because you are a right-wing conservative nutter.
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/bigot
I do have some sympathy for these kids and perhaps they need the support of someone a little older and perhaps wiser. I remember being their age and desperate to fit in. If they want to fit into a conservative religious group they will need to repeat the bullshit spouted by the rest. I suspect that there may also be a little self loathing in the mix which is a common problem in most oppressed groups.
Unfortunately they are doing themselves a great disservice because this will have a limited lifespan. When they realise how wrong they are in what they are saying they will feel really stupid and used. They are most likely the pet projects of some fairly cynical people.
My experience through this debacle is that the hate that has come from the no campaigners has been vicious and appalling, the same type of garbage that was being said to and about when I was their age. I am really not sure where they are looking for references. Perhaps reading some of the You Tube comments may help them.
Even just a little research may be helpful for them because they are simply parroting the rhetoric that they have listened to. I must have missed the meeting where the radical agenda to overthrow society as we know it was decided upon.
I hope that they don’t come down with too much of a thud when they realise that what they have sacrificed for these conservative ‘friends’ is too costly. They are being used and I hope that when they realise it they have great lives.
If these guys don’t want to marry that’s cool, but they shouldn’t stand in the way of those who do. That is externalising their internalised repression and stigma.
Every marriage that begins, endures or ends redefines what marriage is.
I agree with Dave 100% and also as a gay Conservative I deplore the way some have tried to twist what is a Conservative value by supporting the family unit – in all its forms. It seems some Conservatives choose to overlook the last bit and stick with what is a very narrow view.!
These two young men may not be homophobic but they sure are misguided. Lucky for them they were not around when gay people were being marginalised and even criminalised- it was a long fight of my generation to change that – and so they fail to see that this issue is not just about marriage equality – but removing the last vestiges of discrimination against all gay people. I feel sorry for these boys. I believe we will achieve equality without them – but in years to come they can look back and think that when their gay brothers and sisters needed their support – they weren’t there! Shame boys!
I am a Trans person and I have not seen any respect towards the Transgender Community by the No campaign you’re just have to see and watch their propaganda in Social Media and mainstream media releases to see it.
So yes they may not be attacking the gay and lesbian communities they continue to be attacking the Transgender Community and spread fear about us and demonizing us. You’re only have to see the T.V. ad’s to see that.
Guys respect your opinion but do not respect your statement/view that this “equality movement” is run by radicals. You state that you have had a fairly easy transition/acceptance to coming out and that is great, but from what I can see and hear you come to your view with very limited life experience. I can assure you both, I am a conservative professional gay man and and have witnessed far less privileged outcomes of acceptance and equality in my lifetime. I have been the recipient of bigotry, abuse and inequality both personally and professionally through my life. I not a radical gay because I support equality and same sex marriage. I have weathered the moments in my life where I have felt a “lesser person” and I am stronger for it. Others not so lucky. It does not mean that others today need to go through any of this in the future. I am 55 years old. In my opinion, you are gentlemen, on the wrong side of history. The only saving grace is that you recorded your views for prosperity and I hope that in 10 – 20 years time you view this recording and then lets you and I have a conversation.
“Hate” – such a strong and misused word. There are so many conservative LGBT people.
What I don’t understand is why you’d vote against marriage for fellow same-sex couples just because you yourself don’t want it.
I don’t like coffee, but I won’t vote to ban it.
The voices of these anti-LGBT rights gay folk are truly disappointing.
If you don’t want to get married that is absolutely fine. My issue here, is why they would want to deny others equality. Why would anybody want to deny others equality. To do so is the very definition of a beliefe that you or what you have is superior to the others who you wish to deny.
In the case of these guys, I fear one day they may change their minds and look back with regret.
Pulling apart society … how could anyone find being blamed for that offensive?
Of course there have always been gay conservatives. And while it’s uncommon there’s no point saying it’s wrong. What I don’t get though is why some conservatives feel they have to oppose marriage equality on conservative principal because that’s just crap.
David Cameron was the British Conservative PM who supported same sex marriage “not despite being Conservative but because I am Conservative”. Some conservatives have religious views which tell them that God hates gays and they oppose gay rights on that basis, but the guys in this article don’t seem to be in that particular conservative mould, they don’t seem to be calling for the recriminalisation of homosexuality like some of their conservative counterparts. Even Donald Trump, who opposed marriage equality as a candidate has now ruled it “settled law” he won’t be changing.
So “we oppose marriage equality because we’re conservative” is bullshit. Same sex marriage is a feature of modern judeo-christian nations, irrespective of the political stripe of their ruling party.
Why do these Conservatives reject this feature of living in a modern judeo-christian country, when they are so keen to lecture the rest of us about our judeo-christian heritage whenever it suits them (Tony Abbott, I’m looking at you).
The guys in this article have an argument which doesn’t stack up and in the absence of anything else this is just a contrarian publicity-seeking stunt, much like we see from anti-vaxxers or Alex-Jonesesque conspiracy nuts.
There is no such thing as Judeo-Christianity, never was, never will be.
Our ancestors were Christians, living in Christian countries as Christian nations.
We have Christian heritage.
Our Christian culture was diverted by Jewish Cultural Marxism, resulting in what we see around us today: PC/Multikulti, anti-White, anti-straight, anti-male, Feminist and Gender-idiotic societies devised by the Jews specifically for us, stupid Goyim.
Jesus was Jewish. The basis of our “Christian heritage” is Jewish.
The ironic thing is that you are doing exactly the thing they pointed out in this video. Many Australians are aware of situations in the US where anti-discrimination laws have been used as a ‘club’ against religious individuals who wish to still embrace traditional marriage. Redefinition of marriage by the government is actually not as clear cut as people think and isn’t just a case of “you need to catch up with other countries who’ve done it or you’re a jerk”. You admit these other countries have judeo-Christian values built into their legal system; just because same sex marriage has been passed there isn’t really a great argument why it should happen in Australia. These men have spoken of agendas in other countries, and most would support gay marriage if there was a libertarian take where the government wasn’t involved. Christians and other religious individuals should still have the right to embrace traditional marriage and shouldn’t be forced by the government to go against that. That is why many are voting against it, it grants freedoms to one group whilst stripping away freedoms from another.