Aug 16: Ending the Discrimination
I wrote to the Federal Member for Macarthur, Russell Matheson, after reports that he supported the continuation of discrimination against homosexuals:
------------------------------------------------------Dear Russell,
I have noticed on a couple of occasions that you have been reported to be opposed to equal marriage rights, on the basis that you perceive no support for it.
I support equal marriage rights because:
- (a) gays are being denied a basic human right;
- (b) homophobic discrimination ought to be relegated to the rubbish bin of history;
- (c) it will have zero effect on me; you; or the churches;
- (d) the opposition to it consists only of extremely weak and incoherent excuses; and (last but not least):
- (e) I am a Liberal, believing in Liberal principles: the rights of minorities; equal opportunity for all; and fair social justice.
I understand that it takes time for people to grasp the concept of equal marriage rights for all - but I am sure the Aussie "Fair Go" spirit will prevail in the end.
Some local fundamentalist opponents will wave their bible in support of their desire to continue with unfair discrimination – but this is not about religion at all. It is not about forcing churches to marry gays - or even for them to recognise gay marriage. It is about governing responsibly for all people by providing the opportunity - outside the structures of religious institutions - for gays to marry the partner of their choice.
Religious organisations cannot be forced to recognise gay marriage – but the Australian Government provides an alternate secular marriage system, which must be non-discriminatory.
Same-sex marriage will not affect the churches in any way; and some even support it.
It will not affect me and I support it.
It will not affect you or any other ‘straight’ either. So what possible reason can there be to ignore Liberal anti-discrimination Principles?
Best wishes for the election.
Regards,
Roger Powell
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Whilst I believe all correspondence to local MPs deserves a formal response from them, I do not hold much hope of a reply because that does not always happen these days; and the sheer nonsense arguments trotted out against equal marriage would look laughable in print!
I think that this issue ought to be resolved in the next Parliament but that it might take a little longer for many MPs like Russell Matheson to evolve to a normal view.
Most of the pressure on MPs, I suspect, comes from Catholics, Anglicans and the happy clapping churches. The Catholic stance is sheer hypocrisy of course: long term support for homosexual paedophile priests who bugger little boys; and long term opposition to ending discrimination against consenting homosexual adults. Pffffffffft!
EDIT (20th AUGUST)
I should have included that Matheson's reason for opposing marriage equality - a perception of no support for it - is a cop out. If something is wrong, if something is discriminatory or unfair, then the principled approach is to seek to change it, regardless of popular support.
I have seen many surveys which reveal that over sixty per cent of the population supports marriage equality (including over fifty per cent of religious people). I do not use that as an argument to support same sex marriage. I support it because it is the right thing to do - not because it is popular.
