Thu 25 Apr 2013 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Bob McCoskrie Australian equality campaigners are up in arms about Family First New Zealand’s Bob McCoskrie visiting Sydney next month for the seventh World Congress of Families. Also giving a keynote address at the world’s biggest 'family values' conference is controversial psychiatrist Dr Miriam Grossman, who believes gay people can be turned straight through therapy. Gay rights activist and Sydney MP Alex Greenwich has written to the NSW Tourism minister demanding he ensure the conference follows the state's tough anti-discrimination legislation. "We don't want a bunch of hateful extremists coming here and spouting off their ridiculous thoughts and views on the gay and lesbian community," said Mr Greenwich has told the Herald Sun, saying he is concerned about the effect speakers could have on vulnerable gay and lesbian youth. World Congress of Families Sydney chairwoman Mary-Louise Fowler has told the paper it would be "very sad" if people created a public nuisance of themselves if they disagree with their views. "If people want to disagree with us, that's fine. We have the freedom to express that view … It's not a crime to offend people." Rodney Croome from Australian Marriage Equality says people who fearmonger over marriage equality are looking increasingly irrelevant. "Advocates against marriage equality would do their cause a favour by asking Mr McCroskie to stay at home," he said.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 25th April 2013 - 11:36am