SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
Equality
I DID not want to have all of Australia voting on whether they thought I was worthy to marry my partner of 18 years. I would have preferred to only ask her. However, the trauma caused by many so called Christians accusing me of being a “sicko” or of “destroying the institution of marriage” during this campaign has had a surprisingly good side effect.
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It has immunised me against their accusations, it no longer hurts. Now I understand the people they are talking about are figments of their imagination and they are not talking about me. Instead feel sorry for them. I am sure God will find it in his heart to bless them. Choose love.
Trish Bock, Penguin.
Social issues
ROBERT Lee (The Examiner, September 14) seems to be of the view that primary school-aged children should not be seen and not be heard either when it comes to social issues, such as same-sex marriage.
I do not share Mr Lee’s opinion that primary-aged school children should not be allowed to voice their support or opinions. They are emerging voices in society and part of their learning about life is being able to take part in such debates and marches of support.
In fact, as an emerging socially aware young person I became an anti-whaling activist at age 11. I was fully supported by my parents who encouraged me to have a voice. As part of my activism I would have taken part in rallies but as none were occurring I wrote letters to politicians instead, including then Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser.
Mr Fraser answered my letter praising my passionate interest and I received a commendation from my school for being so involved in an important social issue of the time. The opinions/actions of young people should never be belittled or discouraged simply because they are young.
Geoff McLean, Launceston.
Marriage Certificate
DO GAY couples really need a piece of paper to say they love each other? Well - no, not really, but we do need a marriage certificate to be equal as far as the law is concerned. With a marriage certificate our partners are immediately recognised as our next of kin: there is no need to jump through hoops to prove it.
With a legal marriage certificate property rights and inheritance rights are automatic. Any benefits from insurance companies are guaranteed if our partner dies. Without a legal marriage certificate, blood relatives can deny us access and the legal right to decision making if our partner is in hospital and unable to make decisions for themselves.
These rights are extremely important and are currently denied to gay couples. Married couples automatically have all of these rights. I have a feeling that straight people just don’t realise what a difference a legal marriage certificate would make to the lives of gay couples. Please consider this when making your mark on the postal vote.
David Broughton, Legana.
Religion
I CONGRATULATE Cody Handley (The Examiner, September 6) on his response to Sue Carlyon’s letter (The Examiner, August 31). She doesn’t seem to realise the real reason society is moving away from religion.
She cites the rising up of pagan influences as one cause, and in the next sentence states that “Dark MOFO and the elevation of the LGBTIQ flag in our capital city are prime examples”. To imply that LGBTIQ people are a pagan influence is utterly insensitive to them, and demonstrates her complete ignorance of their situation.
Scientific discoveries and rationality are causing society to move away from religion. We no longer blindly accept what we were taught as children, and we question the logic and validity of the stories from the Bible.
