The reports to federal parliament last month from politicians canvassing their electorate’s views on same sex marriage were disappointing. Most reported their electorates were not supportive of gay marriage, despite many polls over a number of years showing growing community support.
I cannot help but wonder if some of our elected representatives just sought out views that matched their own, for there was a hardly a single report where a member said ‘despite my personal opposition, the people I represent think differently to me’.
Frustratingly most politicians simply didn’t report back. Thirty one of 150 members of the House of Representatives provided reports, just a little over 20 per cent of our elected members. Only two politicians from WA participated, Mr Luke Simpkin for Cowan and Mr Tony Crook for O’Connor, both supported the concept of marriage as only being between a man and a woman.
The feedback also highlighted that the pro-gay marriage movement had not been as effective as the lobbyists against in getting people to personally write, call or visit their local member. If calls for marriage equality are ever going to be successful the movement has to be focused not in the gay community but be embraced by everyone else, our heterosexual brothers, sisters, parents and friends.
The politicians’ feedback also highlighted that support for gay marriage was being expressed through form emails while opponents had taken the time to write individual letters. Multiple references were made to gay activists being quick to label anyone who disagreed as homophobic or bigots. Right wing activists were chastised for their comments about gay people.
The debate for and against same sex marriage has passionate people on both sides and between these two polarised groups is the vast majority of Australians who can be persuaded with logic and real life stories. It’s a serious issue for society to debate and it deserves better than ‘slippery slope’ alarmist claims, quick draw calls of homophobia and stories about gay Muppets.
Yes Muppets. In the week leading up to the biggest discussion on same sex marriage in Australia a story out of the USA sucked up lots the available media air for the same sex marriage debate. It was proposed in an online petition that it was time for Sesame Street’s Ernie and Bert to get married now that gay marriage was legal in New York. Opponents of same sex marriage were quick to highlight this story, pointing out that ‘now the queers want to destroy Sesame Street’.
At OUTinPerth we were asked why we hadn’t reported on the fight to allow Bert and Ernie to wed, the lack of GLBTI characters on Sesame Street was damaging potentially queer youth. Here’s why, it’s a ridiculous and distracting story. Sesame Street is based around concepts of acceptance, tolerance and cooperation. It’s a place where a eight foot tall bunch of yellow feathers, purple, blue and green little monsters and a bear hang out – let’s be honest it’s already a lot like a gay club.
The emotional and intellectual battle for equality needs to keep happening on the streets of Australia. Sesame Street by comparison is not so important.
Graeme Watson
editor@www.outinperth.com
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