Homosexual marriage activists fail to condemn threats
Marriage equality advocates have failed to condemn the behaviour of activists who made phone and social media threats, forcing a meeting of Christian opponents of gay marriage to be abandoned.
The Accor hotels group confirmed on Friday that a meeting of about 100 people from groups including the Australian Christian Lobby, the Marriage Alliance, Sydney Anglicans and Sydney Catholics had been abandoned following threatening phone calls and social media posts that “rattled” employees and left the company concerned about the safety of staff and guests at the Mercure Sydney Airport hotel.
A key argument used by Labor and Greens politicians and same-sex marriage advocates who oppose the government’s proposed plebiscite on the issue is that it will fuel “hate speech” against same-sex couples and their families.
A statement from the meeting’s conveners alleged hotel staff had received “threats of violence” from same-sex marriage activists after details of the event were published on LGBTI community website SameSame.com.au.
Australian Marriage Equality spokesman Clint McGilvray said all Australians were entitled to their opinion and to express it in a respectful manner.
He failed to directly respond to questions about whether he was disappointed in the activists who made the physical threats, or would urge them to allow their opponents to meet peacefully.
Labor equality spokeswoman Terri Butler said she was not aware of the circumstances of the threats and abandonment of the meeting and said all participants in the debate should engage respectfully. But only one side is offering violent threats.
One person on the SameSame.com.au Facebook page urged activists not to make threats against their opponents.
“We as a community need to be careful that we don’t give ammunition to these people,” Justin Laws-Neely wrote.
There is frustration by LGBTI people as they listen to certain groups who are against equality and who they believe are telling another story about homosexuality to the Australians people. The issue of equality is about people’s lives and this has to be remembered in the tone of the national conversation which must be respectful and inclusive.
And yet it is neither. The tone is one of a threat, of violence, of retribution and of hated towards Christian organizations.
Veteran marriage equality advocate Rodney Croome indicated his sympathy for the Christian groups was very limited.
Veteran marriage equality advocate Rodney Croome indicated his sympathy for the Christian groups was very limited.
He did not condemn the violent threats made by homosexual advocates but instead played the sympathy card. Previously he played the suicide card. He is running out of false arguments.
“Threats, discrimination and refusal of service are painful, demeaning and completely unacceptable, as most LGBTI people know all too well, so I hope having had this experience the ACL will now reconsider its demand to roll back anti-discrimination and anti-hate laws,” he said.
The request to roll back anti-discrimination laws relate directly to a Greens transgender political candidate taking a Catholic Bishop to court because the Bishop outlines the Biblical understanding of heterosexual marriage in his school newsletter. The transgender person was offended and took him to court for gay hatred. He later withdrew his complaint realizing he made the gay community look completely bigoted and intolerant.
Croome fails to mention that his counter part in the UK constantly approach B&B, Christian Business under false pretences in order to take them to court and humiliate their Christian principals.
Labor equality spokeswoman Terri Butler said she was not aware of the circumstances of the threats and abandonment of the meeting and said all participants in the debate should engage respectfully. But only one side is offering violent threats.
One person on the SameSame.com.au Facebook page urged activists not to make threats against their opponents.
“We as a community need to be careful that we don’t give ammunition to these people,” Justin Laws-Neely wrote.
Too late. Their tatctic and heart is showing very clearly to the Australian public. If you object to anything homosexuals we will threaten you and shut you down!
Attorney-General George Brandis yesterday indicated the government might be prepared to compromise with Labor to pass legislation for a plebiscite.
Labor is due to make a decision on the plebiscite when parliament returns in three weeks, but has indicated it is highly unlikely to support the government.
Senator Brandis said “the theme of this parliament has to be compromise”.
Attorney-General George Brandis yesterday indicated the government might be prepared to compromise with Labor to pass legislation for a plebiscite.
Labor is due to make a decision on the plebiscite when parliament returns in three weeks, but has indicated it is highly unlikely to support the government.
Senator Brandis said “the theme of this parliament has to be compromise”.
