A little under a year ago, a group of Australian businesses took out ads in all the country’s major newspapers to give an unambiguous thumbs up for marriage equality. The Mamamia Women’s Network was among them, as was Telstra.
It seems Telstra’s commitment to equal rights for all Aussie citizens wasn’t exactly iron-clad, however, amid reports the company is now winding back support for same-sex unions.
According to the Australian, Telstra bowed to pressure from the Catholic Church after they dangled the threat of possible boycott by church-goers.
“You may be aware that the Catholic archdiocese of Sydney is a significant user of goods and services from many corporations, both local and international,” Archdiocese of Sydney business manager Michael Digges wrote in a letter.
“Undoubtedly, many of the Catholic population of Sydney would be your employees, customers, partners and suppliers. It is therefore with grave concern that I write to you about the Marriage Equality for Australians campaign.”
A spokesperson from the telco confirmed the company had “no further plans to figure prominently in the wider public debate”, saying the Government’s incredibly costly and not-at-all-binding plebiscite planned for sometime after the next election, ought to decide the issue.
“Ultimately, it will be parliament who determines any changes to the institution of marriage,” the spokesperson said.
The public response has been swift and it has been brutal. As it turns out, at least a few of the 7 in 10-ish Australians in favour of a ‘yes’ vote weren’t too impressed with the apparent back flip.
Here’s a sample from just a few unhappy customers:
Previously Telstra were highly visible supporters of the marriage equality movement. Their logo still appears prominently on the Australian Marriage Equality website, their disco phone booths at Mardi Gras, hard to miss.
“Telstra supports marriage equality as part of the great importance we place on diversity and standing against all forms of discrimination,” he wrote.
“Equally we recognise there are many and varied views and if we are all truly accepting of diversity, there should be room made for all of them.
He made no mention of the Catholic Church, one mention of the forthcoming plebiscite and promised they weren’t abandoning their “tradition of supporting diversity and inclusion, be it in the community or in our workplace”– just doing it silently and invisibly from now on.
Meanwhile the world has a message for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull…
Top Comments
The only bullying I am witnessing is by the gay marriage lobbyists. Hysteria follows if anyone says they disagree with them. If they are so sure that 70% support it then bring on the plebiscite. Hmmm. Why do they alway sound so freaked out by the plebiscite?! Perhaps they're not sure of te silent majority.
Despite what the conservative trolls have flocked here to say, the polls indicate that the majority of Australians will support reform - and conservatives have nothing to establish the contrary. Perhaps Australians on the whole will not be furious with Telstra. The article interestingly enough never claimed that, it merely pointed out that a group of AUSTRALIANS had made statements of outrage on social media and displayed a few examples - perhaps there are more. But of course the right will take any statement out of context when it can use it to promote homophobia or appeal to populism, and play the perpetual victim card which is fast becoming a tenant of conservatism (though ironically enough it's what they accuse their opponents of). I wouldn't know I don't waste my time on twitter. It should also be noted that Australia are also happy to do business with the vast number of larger corporation such as Wespac and QANTAS who continue to pledge support for Marriage Equality.
The right is shameful
Well, gee, if you really feel that strongly about it, why get your leftie collective to do what they do to the young people serving hot chocolate at Max Brenner cafes? Go down to a Telstra Shop, picket, scream abuse and try to intimidate the staff and customers? You know, how the far nicer and more compassionate left acts. Is that how conservatives should be acting?