There have been some excellent pieces published recently about equal marriage or alternatively, to keep those who are politically correct satisfied, same sex marriage.
If you haven't had a chance to be across these pieces, I have collected a few here for you to read.
Yes, they are all in favour of supporting equal marriage.
Try as I might, I have yet to find a lucid argument against equal marriage.
All I hear - all I've ever heard from those opposing equal marriage - is that marriage is between a man and a woman.
That's not an argument, that's an opinion. And a weak one at that. But at least it's honest.
All the rest about religious freedoms, free speech, political correctness, the effect on the raising of children and the corruption of education are completely dishonest or alternatively, to keep those who are politically correct satisfied, a load of old codswallop.
In any event, they are not relevant to the question being asked - with all due respect (or undue respect, as the case may be).
Now to the pieces:
"The ambition my brother abandoned because he was gay - why a 'yes' vote matters"
by David Kirby (brother of Michael Kirby)
What rational objection could there be to such a marriage? What business is it of others? How would it in any way jeopardise the union that may exist between others?
The suggestion by Tony Abbott that such marriages amount to "such huge change" that it "would shake society's foundations" is absurd. The same change has been adopted in 24 other countries, with a total population of 760 million people. The gruesome changes predicted have not materialised. Such fears are a debating trick, aimed at diverting attention from the simple proposition that to deny the facility of civil marriage to a minority in our community is unfair. It is an injustice that must be rectified. Gays have suffered enough. It is definitely past time to turn the page.
"Where's the biff? Free speech has won every round in the marriage equality debate"
by David Marr
However they dress up their worries in the rhetoric of freedom, the great complaint of the naysayers is having to campaign at all. A faith that once faced lions is indignant about being challenged.
“We’re under assault,” cries Cory Bernardi but offers no proof of rough treatment. Sure, the contest has been a bit too willing at times but where’s the biff? Where are the martyrs? Who has actually been silenced?
Free speech has won every round that matters in this contest.
"'Yes' vote won't affect religious freedom - even the freedom to discriminate"
by Jane Caro
Not only can anyone remain opposed to same-sex marriage regardless of the result of the non-binding (there's a clue in that, guys) postal survey, they can continue to speak against it and can certainly think whatever mutinous thoughts they like, and will still be able to even if the Marriage Act is changed. Indeed, if they belong to, run, are employed by or represent a religious organisation, they will continue to be able to discriminate willy-nilly.
"F*** you, I'm done with being respectful" by Laurence Barber (language warning)
For pretty much our entire lives, we’re forced to think about the version of ourselves we put across in public.
As LGBTQIA people, we’re burdened by a supposed need to modulate our behaviour, our speech, our looks. Don’t dress too queer. Stay in the closet at work. Better not hold hands on this street, just in case.
We’re not the only ones who have to do this. Women, people of colour, people with disabilities, and more – many of whom are also queer – suffer the same societal pressures.
Unfortunately, this is the reality we must contend with: one in which we battle to be seen as human so we can express ourselves and live authentically.
The marriage equality debate has delivered a concentrated assault on our collective personhood, but in more insidious forms than ever before.
"Gay people are anything but spineless, Mr Canavan" by Ernesto Montoto
Dear Matthew "grow a spine" Canavan,
I'd like to share my story with you and hope that maybe you'll have some level of empathy to understand the difficulties some of us face in life.
I am a 42-year-old man, who is in a loving 19-year relationship. I'd like to start my life story with you from when I was a young child. I was born in 1975. Only two years prior (1973) homosexuality was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). Homosexuality may have been depathologised in 1973, but the majority of society continued to treat homosexuals as perverse and sick individuals.
Amor omnia vincit, veritas omnia vincit.
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