Same sex marriage

**tomcat** · 12-09-2017, 06:10 AM

Originally Posted by bobo746

lets vote yes and get back to our lives.

good advice...

**cyrille** · 12-09-2017, 07:25 AM

After a very unpromising start.

**tomcat** · 12-09-2017, 08:00 AM

...this just in:

Same-Sex Marriage Splits Australia
By Jason Scott

Nationwide postal survey on marriage equality starts Tuesday
Turnbull criticized for refusing direct vote in parliament

Trent Gardiner hopes to marry his partner Lochie this year if Australians support legalizing same-sex unions in a postal vote. The school teacher fears he will first face a wave of bigotry as the two-month ballot beginning Tuesday divides the nation.

“There’s always an anti-gay element in society but it isn’t usually given a platform to be vocalized,” said Gardiner, 39, whose car was among eight whose tires were slashed last month outside a Sydney theater showing a gay-themed play. “It’s quite insulting to me that the government is asking the Australian population whether I should be allowed my basic human right to get married.”

While opinion polls have long shown the majority of Australians support marriage equality, previous efforts to change the law have been stymied by conservatives in parliament. The issue is a fault-line running through Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s coalition and he’s shied away from legislating during his two years in office even though he supports same-sex unions.

With companies such as Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Qantas Airways Ltd. campaigning for the nation to catch up with New Zealand, the U.S. and the U.K., the postal vote is Turnbull’s bid to break the deadlock. The prime minister says he’ll urge his lawmakers to pass legislation by the end of the year if results due Nov. 15 show a majority support change.

“We said every Australian would have a say and we are delivering on that promise,” Turnbull, 62, said on Sunday at a “Yes” campaign event, urging both sides to argue their case respectfully. “Intolerant, disrespectful and strident voices undermine their own side of the debate.”

Tensions Rising

Still, tensions are rising. Neo-Nazi groups have distributed homophobic posters in Melbourne. Prominent conservative lawmakers are urging people to vote against “political correctness,” and are arguing that marriage equality could undermine family values and see radical sexuality and gender programs rolled out in schools.

On the flip side, “Yes” campaigners are being accused of intolerance for not respecting the right of people to vote “No.”

“They’ve done everything trying to stop the Australian people from expressing their views on same-sex marriage,” Lyle Shelton, a spokesman for the Australian Christian Lobby, said in an interview. He applauded the High Court’s decision last week to allow the postal vote to go ahead, after same-sex marriage advocates tried to block it.

Tiernan Brady says he’s seen negative campaigning against same-sex marriage before. He was the political director of the Irish “Yes” side during its successful referendum campaign in 2015, and has been drafted in to lead Australia’s equality campaign.

“In Ireland we faced a daily dose of red herrings” from anti same-sex marriage campaigners, Brady said. “They know the vast majority of Australians are for marriage equality so they’re trying to change the debate through distractions and misleading. It’s a disturbing attempt to create social division and we’re determined not to fall for that. This has to be a united moment for the country, like it was in Ireland.”

The “No” campaign may be gaining traction. Fifty-eight percent of respondents supported changing the law in a Newgate Research poll released Sept. 9, down six percentage points from two weeks earlier. The survey showed 31 percent were against marriage equality, while only 65 percent said they were very likely to vote. The poll of 800 voters had a 3.5 percentage point margin of error.

Turnbull’s strong stance in support of the “Yes” vote on Sunday came after he previously insisted he wouldn’t be actively campaigning for it. The former banker has said same-sex marriage isn’t a core issue and that Australians wanted him to instead focus on national security and economic growth.

Free Vote

That’s been in stark contrast to opposition leader Bill Shorten, whose Labor party is well ahead in opinion polls. Shorten has urged the prime minister to allow his lawmakers to hold a free vote in parliament, without spending A$122 million ($98 million) on the postal vote.

“I hold you responsible for every hurtful bit of filth that this debate will unleash,” Shorten, 50, told Turnbull in parliament last month.

In Sydney, home to one of the world’s biggest gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parades, Gardiner is wary about what the next two months will bring. Still, he’s guardedly optimistic that he’ll be allowed to marry his partner of six years by the time their second child is due in January.

“I didn’t want this vote but if this is what we have to put up with to get marriage equality, we need to be as positive as possible,” he said.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...-bigotry-fears

**AntRobertson** · 12-09-2017, 08:11 AM

On the flip side, “Yes” campaigners are being accused of intolerance for not respecting the right of people to vote “No.”

“They’ve done everything trying to stop the Australian people from expressing their views on same-sex marriage,” Lyle Shelton, a spokesman for the Australian Christian Lobby, said in an interview

That must be the flip-the-narrative side.

Sorry Lyle but when another group is trying to claim the same rights that you've always had you're not the one being oppressed.

To quote the famous Australian philosopher and statesman Mark 'Chopper' Read, 'harden the fuck up, Lyle!'.

**Maanaam** · 12-09-2017, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by tomcat

On the flip side, “Yes” campaigners are being accused of intolerance for not respecting the right of people to vote “No.”

Wow, strong argument, "No" people.

Originally Posted by tomcat

Neo-Nazi groups have distributed homophobic posters in Melbourne.

Probably an own goal in that it would motivate the indifferent and fence-sitters to vote "yes". Good one Nazis.

**Looper** · 14-09-2017, 10:03 PM

Changing the definition of marriage is changing the definition of family and family is the basic building block of society.

The problem with radical revisions for society is that they often do not anticipate the negative effects, which often will not be understood until much further down the line.

People have a weakness for being swept up by a wave of enthusiasm for 'change' supported by vague notions of 'equality' without understanding the potential costs.

So I am voting for Australia to not be swept away on a frothingly populist agenda where the effects on society's most important cultural institution, the family, are not clear.

Same sex marriage-p9140111crop-jpg

**tomcat** · 14-09-2017, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by Looper

People have a weakness for being swept up by a wave of enthusiasm for 'change' supported by vague notions of 'equality' without understanding the potential costs.

I know...those annoying negroes have ruined it for the rest of us...

**David48atTD** · 15-09-2017, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by Looper

The problem with radical revisions for society is that they often do not anticipate the negative effects, which often will not be understood until much further down the line.

Originally Posted by tomcat

I know...those annoying negroes have ruined it for the rest of us...

FFS ... those two issues are not even remotely related.

Nice try TC, but no.

**AntRobertson** · 15-09-2017, 10:08 AM

25 Logical Reasons to Vote NO to Marriage Equality

**David48atTD** · 15-09-2017, 10:16 AM

Same sex marriage-8942968-3x2-700x467-jpg

The Wallabies (the Australian Rugby Union Team) has publicly backed the Yes camp by revealing a rainbow wallaby logo.
Other Wallabies have reiterated their support for same-sex marriage on social media, including LGBTI advocate David Pocock,
who has announced in the past he and his long-term partner Emma Palandri will not wed until gay marriage is legalised in Australia.

FFS ... ALL sporting organisations/government bodies/unions ... stop declairing support or no support for SSM (Same Sex Marriage)

No one organisations speak for their whole memberships.

For example ...

Same sex marriage-8849412-3x2-700x467-jpg

Same sex marriage-8849412-3x2-700x467-jpg

NSW Waratahs and Australia rugby star Israel Folau has tweeted that he does not condone same-sex marriage,
a day after the Wallabies pledged support for the Yes vote in the postal survey.

In his tweet on Wednesday afternoon he said he loves and respects everyone for their opinions but that he
would not support same-sex marriage.
He followed with peace sign, heart and prayer emojis.

**David48atTD** · 15-09-2017, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

25 Logical Reasons to Vote NO to Marriage Equality

That was funny.

Even though it's a serious question, brevity is appreciated.

**AntRobertson** · 15-09-2017, 10:18 AM

^^The All Blacks beat the Wallabies because Folau is against same-sex marriage and God hates bigots. FACT!

**tomcat** · 15-09-2017, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by David48atTD

prayer emojis.

what to use when common sense fails...

**David48atTD** · 15-09-2017, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

^^The All Blacks beat the Wallabies because Folau is against same-sex marriage and God hates bigots. FACT!

The Wallaby God will smite you for that comment!

Oh, the Rugby thread got updated a few hours ago.

EDIT:- Ant's on to it.

**tomcat** · 15-09-2017, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by David48atTD

FFS ... those two issues are not even remotely related.
Nice try TC, but no.

sorry, Dave, but...yes, they are: I understand that not being a member of a minority tends to blinker opinions, but imagine (if you can) negative discrimination by the majority due to skin color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, etc...imagine growing up in a society where you're despised for who and what you are...then imagine being told that "others" will vote on what rights should be available to you to become first class citizens...you might not be so sanguine in your response...

**AntRobertson** · 15-09-2017, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by David48atTD

The Wallaby God

... That's an inordinately funny image!

**David48atTD** · 15-09-2017, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by tomcat

sorry, Dave, but...yes, they are: I understand that not being a member of a minority tends to blinker opinions, but imagine (if you can) negative discrimination by the majority due to skin color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, etc...imagine growing up in a society where you're despised for who and what you are...then imagine being told that "others" will vote on what rights should be available to you to become first class citizens...you might not be so sanguine in your response...

Mate, the issue we are discussing ATM is should the Law in Australia be changed to allow Same Sex Marriage.

Nothing else ...

What you discuss is only relevant if those two people are from the minority groups referred to above want to enter into a
Same Sex Marriage in Australia.

I appreciate the OP was written with broader issues in mind but, for the moment, it's Australia and Same Sex Marriage.

**David48atTD** · 15-09-2017, 12:47 PM

The Wallaby God

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

... That's an inordinately funny image!

Best I can do at short notice is a blinged up False Prophet

Same sex marriage-jcj952ls_400x400-jpg

**tomcat** · 15-09-2017, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by David48atTD

Mate, I appreciate the OP was written with broader issues in mind but, for the moment, it's Australia and Same Sex Marriage.

...where human rights are concerned, there's is always a wider reference to include the oppressed everywhere...if Rohingya want same-sex marriage instituted before they're slaughtered by peace-loving Buddhists, I say bring it up...

**David48atTD** · 15-09-2017, 03:14 PM

^ then TC, and I can appreciate your broad humanist nature, but on this occasion your viewpoint, as expressed above,
is not relevant to the Australia and Same Sex Marriage question being asked.

**tomcat** · 15-09-2017, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by David48atTD

^ then TC, and I can appreciate your broad humanist nature, but on this occasion your viewpoint, as expressed above,
is not relevant to the Australia and Same Sex Marriage question being asked.

such comment suggests you don't appreciate my broad humanist nature...however distant Australia is from the rest of us, it is still populated by many who yearn to breathe free...and I support their effort...

**David48atTD** · 15-09-2017, 03:53 PM

^ TC fair enough, fair enough. I'm sure your support is appreciated

Meanwhile, back in Australia ...

Gay nomads fly the rainbow flag in outback caravan parks

Same sex marriage-8940502-3x2-940x627-jpg

Same sex marriage-8940502-3x2-940x627-jpg

Miranda Fair says her 1960s retro caravan encourages locals and tourists to say hello.

A cocktail party at an outback caravan park with drag queens, feather boas and pink guitars is the
usual pitch for a group of LGBTI caravaners and campers.

Australia's Gay Nomads plays on the term 'grey nomads' and the biggest similarities between the communities
are camping and the love of the outdoors.

But there are also differences as LGBTI travellers appear more likely to dress their caravans in rainbow flags,
host singing sessions for other campers, and travel to regional festivals.

The group formed a few years ago when Glenn Watson, whose drag alias is Miranda Fair, and Lynne Hocking,
known as Camp Mother, met at a festival in Victoria.

The pair has recruited other gay and lesbian nomads during their travels and their social media page has more than 500 followers.

"We started Australia's Gay Nomads just simply to let gays and lesbians … know that there's going to be another
gay and lesbian person at that site," Mr Watson said at a caravan park in Broken Hill.

Balance of the story and heaps more images here

**tomcat** · 15-09-2017, 04:13 PM

...^very Priscilla...

**David48atTD** · 15-09-2017, 05:07 PM

^ It may surprise you, but one of my favourite Aussie Movies.

Even though he's a KIWI, I'm a fan of Hugo Weaving ... I love the night life
But we are not here to discuss my likes and dislikes of the Australian Movie Industry

**tomcat** · 15-09-2017, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by David48atTD

^ It may surprise you, but one of my favourite Aussie Movies.

not a surprise at all: you're obviously not a kill-and-fuck rugby knuckle dragger...besides, the movie features what might be termed a non-traditional marriage...

Thread: Same sex marriage

Thread Tools

Display

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

Posting Permissions