I wrote this for Facebook, which is mainly for family and a couple of friends. Actually I have two FB accounts, the other being for blog mates and other stuff, but I am afraid I only look at it sporadically so there is little point in telling you the details. This below went down quite well but as I am not a heavy FB user, it was probably not put up very high in people's reading list of posts. PS in advance. I just googled the former classmate and he is married and lives on Bribie Island. He never really seemed gay to me.
I was fully prepared to
not participate in this awful process of voting about something that
has already happened all over the world. Marriage equality is
something that should be decided by a direct and personal vote in our
Federal Parliament. I considered ignoring the postal vote for
political reasons. However, I will vote yes in the mail out 'opinion
poll' for same sex marriage. For once it is not all about me, but
about the future for other gay and lesbian couples. That we are being
opinion polled really is nonsense when the general feeling is already
known.
It is not for me or us
that I want the gay marriage poll to succeed with overwhelming
approval. We personally don't give two hoots for gay marriage. It is
for my sister, her partner and their daughter to whom it is
important, and the kiddies. You know, those younguns, who have weird
thoughts like I did when I was young and thought with envy about
marrying a bloke. Back so long ago, a male classmate at school,
wanted to marry David Cassidy. It would have been a bad choice, given
Cassidy's history, but why should not gay people get married, screw
it all up and then divorce like the rest of society?
I am not asking you to
change your mind if you are determined to vote no, but if you think
you can't be bothered, please be bothered. If you are a bit doubtful
about it, then have a think about what possible harm can come from
two people who love each other getting married. Is that they are male
and male or female and female really that important? The world has
not ended in countries where same sex marriage is allowed.
While it was briefly
legal in our Australian Capital Territory, my sister married her partner. One can only hope that she can again have the right to
marry who she loves.
Later edit: I changed the first sentence to the more accurate "mainly for family and a couple of friends".
Later edit: I changed the first sentence to the more accurate "mainly for family and a couple of friends".
I have already voted. While cursing the necessity to do so. I don't have the right to comment on other people's relationships but our politicians have made it an obligation.
ReplyDeleteE.C
DeleteI voted during the week as well. Why didn't the politicians save the tax payers billions of dollars in a non-compulsory vote? Why not just change the legislation in Parliament?
Andrew
did you hear about the dozens/hundreds of postal vote envelopes that were scattered in the rain outside large blocks of flats in Canberra? Clearly somebody thought Canberra trendies were far too equalitarian to be allowed to vote :(
EC, sometimes we have to swallow what we want to do and act for the greater good. Well, that is how I see it.
DeleteHels, I did hear that but something I heard later made me wonder if it was true. I just don't have time to follow it up now.
It just seems so strange that this isn't already legal as it is part of normal life over here.
ReplyDeleteMarie, what is happening here is all to do with politics. While a free vote on the floor of the house would easily pass, that won't happen while some can see some political advantage by what is happening now.
DeleteI don't give a rat's arse about gay marriage either but I take your point re your sister and her offspring. (I wonder if Diana Fisher is asking 'is it safe for the kiddies?') But I strongly object to the nastiness from gay marriage supporters. I refer to the couple from Wollongong who recently said 'no' as is their right and have been described as homophobic and self loathing by their intolerant peers. One last point - if gay marriage is ever allowed, I'll bet you'll never find stories in the gay media of couples getting divorced. - Ian
ReplyDeleteIan, I agree with you on all counts. Not agreeing with same sex marriage does not make someone homophobic.
DeleteI had dinner with a bunch of older gay male friends (60s, 70s, 80s age group) a few weeks ago. They're mostly conservative in their world outlook. They indicated they would be voting no, or not voting at all. They've never been what you would call "gay activists". I think I shocked them all a bit when I said... "Well, realistically none of you is about to get married anytime soon (pause), so why don't you do it for the next generation?" This seemed to resonate.
ReplyDeleteJames, I really hope it did resonate and they do vote yes. Many of that age are conflicted because of the benefits and rights now bestowed that can seriously disadvantage them at their age.
DeleteI'm a bit shocked about your older frends, James. To me it's not about actual marriage for myself or even for anybody, or even whether marriage itself is a good thing, but about dignity, respect and equality before the law in having the right to choose to marry.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marcellous. I guess that is why there has been a focus on the word equality.
DeleteWe are just pissed off because we have not yet received any voting papers. They'd better arrive soon, cos I wanna vote! Yes, of course I'll be voting yes, as will my partner.
ReplyDeleteRozzie, we haven't received ours either. It seems they are focusing on areas that have slower mail services. Ahh, that would be us, perhaps everyone.
DeleteI can't see why this is the business of a plebiscite. Can't they simply have a show of hands in parliament; or are they not to be trusted?
ReplyDeleteCro, it is poisonous politics in play. There is an ultra conservative rump in our conservative side of politics, a group that does not embrace our non ultra conservative Prime Minister, though they are from the same party. It was virtually an ultimatum, the plebiscite or your job. Many think he should have stuck up to them, or as some say, grow some balls Malcolm.
DeleteI've already decided to vote yes, but oddly enough did not receive the letter in the mail. Several other tenants here have them and I'm wondering if it is sent randomly or to everyone?
ReplyDeleteI still don't believe a vote is necessary or will even have much effect, since I've heard the government will have the final say either way, if we vote or not. So why the heck don't they just say yes and get it over with without bothering the rest of us.
Maybe it's a smoke screen to cover up something else that's going on 'they' don't want us to find out about?
River, I expect there is plenty smouldering away that they don't want us to know about and it is a terrific distraction. I sure your papers will arrive in time. We don't have ours either.
DeleteThe opinion poll vote seems so wasteful. Politics should remain outside of the bedroom.
ReplyDeleteIt does really now, Strayer. Equality in marriage is one of the last things.
DeleteI was sitting in the sun having coffee at the corner shop and realized that I was doing the same thing after marching for the first Marriage Equality. All these years and those idiot christian conservatives still consider themselves the chosen ones and everyone else non-persons.
ReplyDeleteAnd the money for this rubbish came out of the emergency fund we never knew about. And just to make matters worse, my ex-daughter in law is right up with the nutters and waving the 'marriage is between a man and a woman' flag. And it really pisses me off that her vote will cancel out mine.
Also seems to be some trouble with finding a post box these days, something else they didn't think about.
Nice memory, Jah Teh. I hope your grand daughters are a little more enlightened. Knowing some stuff about your ex DiL, I am not surprised. Fortunately mail boxes have not disappeared like phone boxes have.
DeleteI saw on TV the mess they make around homosexual marriages ! I don't understand, it should be for everybody the same, marriage or not where is the difference ? Unmarried people have the same rights than married once so it's a private thing. And why not two man or two women ?
ReplyDeleteThank you Gattina. Wise words from you.
Delete