Subsection 5(1) of the Australian Marriage Act 1961 defines marriage as ‘...the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.’ In these nineteen words, Australian law promotes inequality, marginalises and discriminates against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) Australians. Same sex marriage, the celebration and recognition of love and commitment by members of the same gender, is outlawed by the Australian Government in the grotesquely out-dated Marriage Act 1961. Same sex marriage is a social policy issues, it affects many people and there are many strong, emotional opinions relating to it. The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), which was founded by an act of federal Parliament in the late 1980’s, claims that Australia is working towards being a country with equal human rights – if this is so, why is restrictive, oppressive, fifty year old marriage legislation still in place? Does the Australian Government follow Bob Katter’s ‘everyone is equal, but not all relationships are equal’ theory? (Sadler, 2011). LGBTIQ couples think and feel the same as heterosexual couples; they are simply two human beings that love each other. “Non-heterosexuals are impelled to matrimony by the same force that moves heterosexuals: they love someone.” (Edwards, 2009).
References:
Australian Human Rights Commission. (2011). About the Commission. Retrieved from http://www.hreoc.gov.au/about/index.html
Edwards, J. (2009). Gay marriage: Social revolution, evolution or largely insignificant?. Retrieved from http://www.australianreview.net/digest/2009/12/edwards.html
Marriage Act 1961 (Clth) s.5.1. Retrieved from http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Series/C2004A07402
Sadler, M. (2011, August 11). Gay marriage should be ridiculed, says Independent Bob Katter. News Limited. Retrieved from http://www.news.com.au/national/gay-marriage-should-be-ridiculed-says-in...
Comments
you lot are a minority pull your heads in
You hi-jacked the word Gay to mean something else now you wan't to Hi-jack Marriage to mean something else you lot are a minority pull your heads in
You should be ashamed to use the democracy people died for
I really need to put my five cents worth in here, I am sorry but you are really offending me as a person and I think your argument is a collection of stupidity and a non argument.
You think legislation that is based upon the biblical definition of marriage - namely the only definition of marriage is a "grotesque" representation of the truth.
God who you may or may not give creedence to decided to invent marriage a long long time ago. If He wanted men and men or women and women to marry we would not be here because the union of the opposite sex - yes you need a penis and a vag- means survival of the species.
Thus gay sex is unnatural by vitue of being opposed to the design of nature.
But I'm just a bigot hey - wtf would I know?
You can love whoever you want to love and be in a civil union.
There is no legitimate actual loss or discrimination to your gayness under the law other than the one you invent in your head.
Coming back to your argument - lets look at another legislation that's better known as the crimes act 1900.
According to your argument, this too would appear to be outdated and "obscene" because it "criminalises" the rape of persons of vulnerability namely children, the disabled and elderly-what you think should be legalised.
So if your peddo friends had their way they would have free reign on innocent kids - the children of our society.
You should be embarassed and ashamed to use the democracy and freedoms people lost their lives for to promote such appalling rubbish and stupidity.
You have quite specifically identified your own bigotry
Dear 'Proud Westie'
You are clearly an intelligent person. You have quite specifically identified your own bigotry. Why then do you struggle to see that the marriage discrimination post was not a collection of stupidity and non argument? Quite the contrary. It was clearly based on a critique of various articles and statutes.
Also, you mention that the rules of relationships were set out by 'God', but you don't elaborate which one. Shiva, perhaps?
You also equate homosexuality with child rape. I am not familiar with the scientific journals that explain this link. Perhaps you can enlighten me?
I do not have a problem with people having an opinion. But blurting out unsubstantiated nonsense does not help people work through these issues.
Abusers continue to dictate to the rest of the world
Dear Proud Westie
If you want to talk about "rape of children", I suggest you look in your own backyard..
How is it that 1 billion people can support an organisation that protects people who have continued to abuse children throughout the ages?, not only protecting the perpetrators but also attacking the victims when they tried to come forward.
I can tell you now mate, if any other business in the world was to be found guilty of such widespread abuse of innocent children, it would have been closed down!!!
These same perpetrators of abuse and I don't just mean the one's who directly abused children... I'm also speaking of the ones who protect them and continue to cover-up (Guess God told them to do that too!), continue to dictate to the rest of the world about morals and protecting the weak..... WHAT A BUNCH OF HYPOCRITES!!!
And as for fighting in the wars ..... Well .... guess what?, Gay people did that too, so you could carry on with accusations that are completely plucked out of your ass!
There is nothing wrong with people being different
I just have one question:
In the bible it says we are made in Gods image.
So if we all are made in Gods image Gays, Lesbians and transexuals; a part of God must be Gay, lesbian or transexual?
Also God says Love thy neighbour therefore being the Christian you are you should not be HATING on those around you straight or gay.
Is it okay to listen to some parts of the bible and ignore the others?
Also the "offence" that you felt from the above article, gays feel EVERY SINGLE DAY from society for being who they are.
Maybe before you quote the bible you should read the whole way through, you should think about what you say. It is not your right to judge. When their Judging day does come it will be GODS CHOICE, not yours.
So please stop your rude disrespectful ways.
There is nothing wrong with people being different, arn't we told as children to embrace our individuality?
Just a thought for you to ponder, "Proud Westie".
If i were you I'd be disgusted with my words and behavior.
Child molestation and pedophilia more common among homosexuals
You also equate homosexuality with child rape. I am not familiar with the scientific journals that explain this link. Perhaps you can enlighten me?
Child molestation and pedophilia occur far more commonly among homosexuals than among heterosexuals on a per capita basis, according to a new study.
Read more: Report: Pedophilia more common among 'gays' http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=13722#ixzz1dBoOa
NAMBLA--the North American Man-Boy Love Association--was once the lone voice lobbying for the normalization of pedophilia. NAMBLA representatives marched in gay-priPsychoanalysis recognizes the child abuser as typically an immature man who wants to "give love" to a boy which he did not himself receive in childhood. He makes a narcissistic identification with the child, seeing him as an idealized version of himself, and perceives himself as giving the same love which he wishes he had received from his own father. Thus the pedophile cannot understand that he is inflicting emotional damage.de parades as a fringe element of the gay-rights movement.
http://www.narth.com/docs/pedophNEW.html
In general, most individuals who engage in pedophilia or paraphilias are ... that a larger percentage of pedophiles are homosexual or bisexual in orientation
http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com/content/82/4/457.full
If you need more to enlighten you on this sick toppic let me know
Homosexuals and pedophiles in the same gang, why let them marry?
In 1995 the homosexual magazine "Guide" said, "We can be proud that the gay movement has been home to the few voices who have had the courage to say out loud that children are naturally sexual" and "deserve the right to sexual expression with whoever they choose. …" The article went on to say: "Instead of fearing being labeled pedophiles, we must proudly proclaim that sex is good, including children's sexuality … we must do it for the children's sake."
Read more: Report: Pedophilia more common among 'gays' http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=13722#ixzz1dO6lEQBZ
Homosexuals and pedophiles are in the same gang why would you let them marry?