Praise for Rudd’s stand
Anti-homophobia advocates have welcomed Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd’s move to speak out against bullying in global anti-homophobia campaign It Gets Better.
In the video posted on YouTube last week, Rudd said the message was for teens who are bullied because they are gay.
“In Australia it’s reported that one in two LGBTI teens experiences bullying at school. It’s got to stop. Let me say quite simply, it’s not okay,” he said.
Safe Schools Coalition Victoria coordinator Roz Ward said Rudd had sent a positive message.
“It gives confidence to teachers and parents, and students themselves, to realise that if you’re standing up against homophobic bullying then you’re actually on the right side and you’re on the same side as the people who make decisions in this country,” Ward told the Star Observer.
Ward said she believed Rudd’s message would resonate most with teachers.
“There’s still hesitation from staff members in schools who aren’t quite sure what they are supposed to say or do, or whether they’ll be backed up if they challenge homophobia,” she said.
Rudd joins US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron, Queensland premier Anna Bligh and a host of community leaders and celebrities lending support to the anti-homophobia campaign.
“Australia is a country that prides itself on diversity and that is why we need to challenge homophobia in schools and in our communities,” Rudd said in the message.
Anti-homophobia campaigner Daniel Witthaus said he hopes Rudd’s message encourages other political leaders to lend their support.
“It’s heartening to see the former leader of our country, and someone who still plays a prominent role in the Government, is actually sending such a positive message that it’s not okay if people are bullied,” he told the Star Observer.
“What’s great is the absolute clarity of his message.”
Rudd, however, has also been criticised by some in the community for his continued opposition to same-sex marriage.
“The [Gillard Government] should end the ban on same-sex marriage,” Ward said.
“It’s actually something, whenever we talk to students about discrimination against GLBTI people … it’s the number one thing that comes up.
“They say same-sex couples can’t get married and they know this is a form of discrimination, so it becomes confusing to say you can’t be homophobic and you can’t treat people differently because of their sexuality and then on the other hand to be doing that so obviously with the marriage ban.”
Rudd’s It Gets Better message appeared following discussions at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth last week in which he raised the issue of the criminalisation of homosexuality.
Like most Aussies I want equality for others and the end of discrimination, whether on the basis of sexual orientation or religious conviction.
So when I hear the term “Marriage Equity” I automatically think -“yeah. I support that”. But the term is actually a misnormer. De facto and same sex couples already have equal rights as married couples.
I also support the rights of future Australian’s to have a mum and dad, grow up with both male and female role models, to know their family’s heritage, their medical history etc.
This is not a change that can be reversed. As the clever country let’s watch the impact on other countries 50 years from now. The current statistics on the impact of fatherlessness alone should be sufficient cause for concern.
Ed: Actually ‘Uncle’, your claim that de facto and same-sex couples already have equal rights is incorrect. Superannuation is a case in point. While a same-sex partner is legally entitled to his other half’s super if in an employee or government super fund, that right does not extend to private super funds.
And, to be quite blunt, hetero and de facto couples have the right to get married, same-sex couples don’t.
Your logic is very flawed. Marriage has nothing to do with children. There are plenty of straight couples with children, and more than enough single parents in the world to attest to that.
Brenton I’m so glad I’m not the only one NOT singing Rudd’s praises over this.
Given Oliver does not support equality in marriage, and in past post also demands we not be included in the Equal Opportunity Act, I find his Catholic hate hard to take seriously.
Well said Peter in Brisbane!
Wow! A politician being a hypocrite! Who would have thought?
I’m with Peter In Brisbane, PM at all costs is the game Rudd is playing .. except to the point of supporting same-sex couples.
Except no praise from me .. but I’d love to wipe that smarmy grin off his face.
And Peter in Brisbane what about 41 year olds like myself? Your point being?
I agree with you Brenton. He is playing every little angle to get elected as PM again.
He is still one of those Christians who needs victims to hunt.
Praise is grudgingly given to Mr. Rudd.
What about elder seniors Kevin Rudd??
Bullying is worse for them.
The older they get, it gets worse.
I find this a bit hard to swallow when he has actively stood in the way of equality for LGBT people wanting to get married.