I refer to the letter “marriage bill must go to us” (The Border Mail, July 9) by Margaret Ryan.
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There are a number of points raised that are just simply not true.
Firstly, there will never be an issue that an entire electorate will be behind 100 per cent.
Nevertheless, Cathy McGowan’s support for marriage equality is well known.
She consulted with the electorate and took a position in favour of marriage equality and subsequently won the seat.
If this were a “massive issue” as you have stated, Ms McGowan would have failed to win her seat.
Unlike the republic debate, we do not require a referendum to change the Marriage Act (2004) as marriage is not defined in the constitution.
The alternative is a plebiscite, which I am confident would be welcomed by marriage equality supporters given recent polling has shown public support to be about 70 per cent or greater.
Comments about “these people” and their “offensive and degrading behaviour” I do not understand. Have the conviction to clarify who they are and what particular behaviour you mean?
Possibly you may be referring to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersexed (LGBTI) community, but given that we are in 2015 and that it’s well established that sexuality and gender identity are not a choice then the only thing offensive is the extent of ignorance and intolerance.
Unless of course you in fact were referring to politicians in which case I too find their public behaviour at times offensive.
I found Eric Abetz offensive when he claimed that the marriage equality discussion was a “fad.”
I found Barnaby Joyce offensive when he claimed that legalising marriage equality would impact on our trade with Asia and that they would find Australia decadent.
I found Corey Bernardi offensive when he stated he would never send his children to a school where a gay teacher worked and when he compared homosexuality to paedophilia and bestiality.
So yes, there are many offensive, often homophobic views being expressed throughout this debate but I am pleased to know these views, like yours represent the minority.
I welcome Ms McGowan’s support and look forward to Sussan Ley declaring her support soon.
— DANIEL SEARLE,
Albury