Tue 22 Mar 2011 In: International News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has left many outraged following her statement that she is personally against same-sex marriage because of her conservative upbringing. Gillard told Sky News she is "on the conservative side" of the gay marriage issue "because of the way our society is and how we got here". "I think that there are some important things from our past that need to continue to be part of our present and part of our future," she said. "If I was in a different walk of life, if I'd continued in the law and was partner of a law firm now, I would express the same view, that I think for our culture, for our heritage, the Marriage Act and marriage being between a man and a woman has a special status. "Now, I know people might look at me and think that's something that they wouldn't necessarily expect me to say, but that is what I believe. "I'm on the record as saying things like I think it's important for people to understand their Bible stories, not because I'm an advocate of religion - clearly, I'm not - but once again, what comes from the Bible has formed such an important part of our culture." A Nielson poll earlier this month found 57 percent of Australia's population is in favour of marriage equality and readers of the site Samesame.com.au are spitting tacks at their ‘progressive' Prime Minister's comments: “With her biblical references, she is now publicly to the right of Mr Howard on social issues. What bazaar [sic] statements from a woman who according to tradition and the bible that she holds so dear, lives in sin with her unmarried partner,” says one person. “Get mad and get even!Gillard's remarks are just disgusting. Abbott demonises Muslims, Gillard seems to have picked Gays … If she wants a fight she's picked the wrong people,” says another. Australian Marriage Equality spokesperson Alex Greenwich says opposition leader Tony Abbott met with people affected by marriage discrimination last month, and it's time for the Prime Minister to do the same. “All we ask of Ms Gillard is that she meets with same-sex couples and their families, and opens her heart and mind to their stories, before making categorical statements that will perpetuate inequity and discrimination”, Greenwich said. “The majority of Australians who support marriage equality deserve a Prime Minister who governs for the nation, not just for herself.” Greenwich points out that it is profoundly disappointing that Gillard invokes “tradition” to defend her position when she is an atheist in an unmarried relationship. “If ‘tradition' was a reason to block equality, Julia Gillard would not have become Prime Minister, her relationship would not be legally recognised and her atheism would count against her.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 22nd March 2011 - 11:41am