Watch Penny Wong stick up for her family on Qanda: The same sex marriage issue was raised on on television last night which resulted in this exchange between Joe Hockey and Penny Wong on same sex marriage on the ABC’s QandA. It’s well worth a watch for Wong’s closing line:
ANTI GAY DOC RESIGNS FROM GOVERNMENT POST
Doctors for the Family, a group of doctors opposed to same sex marriage, made a submission to the Federal Senate inquiry and the fallout has been heavy. Victoria’s deputy chief psychiatrist Professor Kuruvilla George has resigned from his role on the board of the Victoria’s Equal Opportunities and Human Rights Commission after it became public his input formed part of the submission.
The Commission said in a statement: “As the agency responsible for promoting and protecting human rights in Victoria, the Commission sees the harmful effects that discrimination and inequality have on people and the hurt and damage caused by prejudice, vilification and damaging stereotypes.”
The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) said it was proof activists didn’t want anyone who disagreed with their views given airtime.
The Australian Medical Association President Dr Steve Hambleton said:
“There is a growing body of evidence that says there’s no difference in their psychological development, their general health, their sexual orientation.”
Dr Hambleton says the opinions expressed in the submission do not reflect the views of the wider medical community, saying there are nearly 90,000 doctors in Australia.
Here’s what else is on our radar today:
1. Aussie CEOs aren’t big on hiring female executives any time soon. Some 68 per cent of CEOs asked said they would not be mandating that female candidates be included in any short list to fill senior management positions over the next six months.
2. ‘Fat tax’. One Melbourne council is considering upping the rates bills of fast food outlets like McDonalds and KFC by 400%.
3. Great. Virgin Atlantic has decided to allow mobile phone calls, texts and email on flights between New York and London. There goes the peace and quiet.
4. The Federal Government’s new ads spruiking the carbon tax ‘household assistance package’ make no mention of the phrase ‘carbon tax’. Nor does it mention the price on carbon, clean energy or the climate.
5. Former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks and her husband will be charged in relation to the phone hacking inquiry. She faces charges of obstruction of justice, her husband faces similar relating to allegations they tried to hide evidence.
6. Nannies should be regulated, the Opposition reckons. It has begun talks with agencies to form a policy that would control ‘backyard care’.
Top Comments
What exactly is the difference between a civil union and a marriage ? Is there a benefit or disadvantage to either ?
Neither has anything to do with children as Im pretty sure they are not mentioned in the ceremonies.Im not sure where that argument comes from.
here's some interesting reading on the subject, mark.
http://www.australianmarria...
KS - Thanks for the link. None of those seem insurmountable. The fact that people like marriage rather than a civil union and a civil union could lead to problems are nothing arguements. The main one as i see it is the legal implications. If that was tightened up to match marriage then everyone can have their own ceremonies. It has nothing to do with children or the ability to love a partner. The main sticking point for the conservative person is the religious aspect of marriage. A civil union that has all the same rights as marriage ( but not called such) would keep everyone happy.
I think the issue here is civil unions - even if they held all the same rights as marriage - is not marriage. It's "separate but equal" - where have we heard that before? I think that any church who doesn't want to perform gay marriages has that absolute right. But you dont have to get married in a church. Atheists get married. Interracial couples get married (which I'm sure the bible would disapprove of) interfaith couples get married. Why is the gender such a barrier?? Marriage is not about religion in today's terms. Plenty of secular couples marry. This is exactly the same. Can you imagine if someone said "African Americans can't get married. They can have civil unions - it's the same." clearly, it's not the same. It's offensive.
You know none of us asked to be born as we are. Black, white, male, female, gay, straight, blonde, brunnette etc. And none of us who are gay/ lesbian/ queer etc dreamed of this life as children. Who would want it? I spent years as a teenager trying to be hetro until just before my mother died when I was 22 she told me to give it up and to live who I was (this was a strong Christian woman). I hated the feelings I had, it made me a pariah in social groups. Noone wants to be gay - who wants the constant discrimination, the coming outs (to the silent response or the "thats okay")? I have three children now in a long term lesbian relationship, we do P&C just like everyone else, we go to church, we pay our taxes, we do everything our neighbours do but gee I pray that none of my girls are lesbians. I pray for a easier life for them. And for us I pray for recognition, just equality not special treatment, just equality. Thats all.