Letters – Sydney (1054)

POINTLESS

What is the point of banning films in Australia? When the brilliant film Ken Park was banned a few years ago one could buy a copy in Chinatown a week later or on the internet.
Recently the banned gay film L.A. ZOMBIE was released on DVD. Why ban it when one can get a copy sent by mail?

The film is 95 percent hard core and all the cast are either old, overweight or have very plain looks — certainly not the type one is used to when watching porn.

We now, however, have the choice to say ‘stuff you’ to the film clasification board and import the DVD in order to see it. It may be the year’s most boring film but at least it is available.

— Peter

GET OVER IT

I’ve heard some people say if you feel you’re a ‘till death do you part’ couple, there’s not much to be made about advocating for gay marriage. For all intents and purpose, you are married.

If however, a couple (gay or straight) wants to have their union legally recognised then they should be afforded that right.

Straight people are allowed to, if they so desire, have their unions legally recognised and gay couples want to for much the same reason  — be that the fundamental idea that gay people are also people first and foremost and should have the same right to marry as straight people. Or are gays not really people?

So, to those who would say near enough is good enough, it’s nowhere near good enough! Equal means equal, not 99 percent the same.

And to those who might say marriage is a religious institution, then they should stop marrying straight couples who aren’t religious! I’m sure many a straight couple will get married in a church, by a priest.

While in Australia, while our laws may have been based on British law which is probably based largely on the Church of England’s traditions, we no longer make our laws based purely on religion.

We are a nation where there are many faiths and many people who don’t have a faith, so Christian laws that are homophobic should not be applied to the whole population of Australia who are not all Christian.

And if it’s the word ‘marriage’ that these petty nit-pickers are worried about, they should literally ‘get with the times’ and realise that words can change meaning and usage over time.

— Solomon

DIFFERENT VIEW

Back in 2004 when Bruce Notley-Smith, the liberal candidate for Coogee, was supporting relationship registers, many of us were already supporting marriage (SSO 1052).

And while Notley-Smith claims the gay community gained greater acceptance because both himself and his partner attended official functions being openly-gay, it’s the least Randwick’s former first couple could do when many of those events were paid for by ratepayers and they were driven to them in the mayoral limousine, a service he reintroduced.

Notley-Smith represents an establishment view of homosexuality, as is evidenced by his opposition to nude beaches, beaches which I support and are popular with many in the gay community.

— Stuart

I NEED A HERO

My partner attended the Salute to Summer harbour cruise hosted by All Gay Cruises. While disembarking in the rain, my partner of 10 years slipped and fell into the water. Not being able to swim he screamed for help. Luckily, a patron heroically came to his rescue.

Once ashore staff ordered my partner, in shock and crying, to sit on the ground in the rain. They accused him of “jumping” into the water and confiscated his phone and wallet. No medical attention was offered and it was later discovered, money was removed from his wallet.

I would like to thank the unknown, patron that saved my partner. You showed bravery and quick thinking. I cannot thank you enough. Although we have asked, we have yet to receive an explanation or apology from All Gay Cruises.

— Brett