Posts Tagged: Australian Labor Party

Books / Civil Union / Conservatives / Europe / Marriage / Politicians — 5 Comments
18
Sep 11

HOW THE TORIES CAME AROUND

David Cameron on the cover of Attitude

If you were surprised that David Cameron, conservative British Prime Minister, has decided to “emphatically support” full gay marriage being introduced in Britain by 2015, you have the facts both for you and against you.

In many ways, Cameron’s conversion is the conversion of millions who have been exposed to the arguments and to gay friends and colleagues over a prolonged period. The change is also special given how far his party has come – putting it well ahead of parties like the centre-left Australian Labor Party, for example.

You can read a detailed account of the Conservative troubled history with gay rights, gay people, and homophobia in “Tory Pride and Prejudice” by Michael McManus.

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Australia / Politicians — 1 Comment
1
Jul 10

CROOME ON GILLARD: PERSONAL POSITION INEXPLICABLE

Rodney Croome and Julia Gillard

Rodney Croome and Julia Gillard

This is a very well written piece by Rodney Croome on why it seems inexplicable for Prime Minister Julia Gillard to personally oppose gay marriage in Australia.

It’s especially clever to point out how ridiculous it would be for Australia to refuse to recognise the marriage of the Icelandic Prime Minister if she came to visit (currently her marriage would have to left at border control).

But there is hope – large chunks of the ruling Labor party support equality including Ministers.

The wider point though is that Gillard’s view only tenable because the movement for equality is still too disorganised. It’s a silent majority yet to be tested by rigorous debate. Partly because people like Gillard avoid it; so this tactical position – and that’s all it can be  - may have bought her some time, but sooner or later Gillard will have to confront the fact that this issue drives immense passion and can’t be quarantined. That and the fact that as an atheist, childless, unmarried and obviously left-leaning woman her public position to oppose marriage choice and equality is indeed ridiculous.

These comments here from Penny Wong are just dodging bullets.

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Australia / Politicians — No Comments
30
Jun 10

JULIA GILLARD PLAYS IT SAFE

Disappointing comments from a politician I admire greatly, the new Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard. Gillard today said she would not change government policy to support gay marriage.

It sounds like a touch of the ‘Hilary Clintons’ to me; I don’t believe for one second that Gillard opposes equality in her heart or her head.  Her party faction overwhelmingly supports it and she’s from a non-traditional family herself (unmarried, no children). This isn’t Gillard-specific, I think others like (out) Senator Penny Wong also support equality but just refuse to say it out of misguided party loyalty. These comments here from Penny Wong are just dodging bullets rather than actively supporting inequality. It comes out all mangled as a result.

Gillard’s words today show that us Christian activists are more organised than gay and lesbian ones.  While Gillard is disappointing us with these comments, it is also an indication that the support base for equality is too weak.  55 to 60% of Australians say they support equality, but Gillard clearly doesn’t believe this is a rock solid support base.

Gillard is being timid, but she has a point. The truth is that we haven’t done enough either to build that support base or prove that it is rock solid. Australian equality activists are not yet matching the smaller louder Christian voices.

So I urge activists to take Gillard words as a challenge, and not just an excuse to hate another politician.

Remember – if we can convince a tabloid and talkback journalist like Derryn Hinch to support equality, then we can convince Julia Gillard too.

If we want marriage equality in Australia we really have to fight for it and organise it and pay for campaigns to convince Australians of the merits of equality.  Just asking the Labor party to roll over clearly doesn’t work, and hating them for that will not bring us equality.

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Australia / Civil Union / Personal Stories / Politicians — 10 Comments
31
May 10

ANDREW BARR: WHEN IS A WEDDING NOT A WEDDING?

Young Australian politician Andrew Barr, writes here for The Gay Marriage Blog, about how he asked his boyfriend to marry him, how his family and friends recently attended what they called a wedding – and why he’s still not allowed to call it a wedding.

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In the lead up to our ceremony I was struck by many conflicting emotions. Pride, joy and optimism are the overwhelming feelings – this is a marriage in my eyes, our marriage. But those feelings are tempered by a frustration that significant social change in my country is still some way off.

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