Equal Love Brisbane have defended their decision to vote out a committee member who penned an open letter criticising a banner depicting Prime Minister Tony Abbott hanging from a rainbow noose.
In a statement on their Facebook page, the group said committee member Dylan Carmichael’s comments had undermined the democratic process of the organisation and labeled his comments about the political group The Socialist Alternative as hurtful and slanderous.
Carmichael penned an open letter to The Socialist Alternative criticising their banner of the Prime Minister and the Socialist Alternative organisation that displayed it.
The remaining members of the Equal Love – Brisbane’s committee have accused Carmichael of having a “flagrant disregard of democratic processes” and “conspiring with opponents of the campaign”.
Speaking to OUTinPerth Carmicheal said at the meeting it was unanimously agreed that the content of the meeting would be held in confidence. Having been banned from the organisation’s Facebook page when he was expelled, Carmichael said he was disappointed that the group had chosen to place the statement discussing his banishment in a space he could no longer access.
Carmichael argued that it was important that the marriage equality movement look at the bigger picture.
“No, rather than make mockery of the democratic process, I feel that it is important to step back, and reassess how we can further not only Marriage Equality, but LGBTIQ rights across the board. First, we need a realistic, objective assessment of the task at hand. The Coalition have the majority of seats in the lower house, but not in the upper house. In order to achieve anything in this parliament, we must be able to sway both sides of the chambers. Divisive politics will cause bills passed in one house to fail in the other.”
To build upon it’s previous successes Carmichael argued that activists need to reach out to both sides of politics.
“LGBTIQ equality is not the preserve of one party over another! It fits with the Labor belief in fairness and the Liberal belief in equal opportunity.”
Carmichael suggested that the best way for the marriage equality movement to progress was to focus on three things, a mainstream, inclusive, family-friendly tone, a serious commitment to non-partisanship and a commitment to work in regional areas as well as the capitals.
“These strategies will give us the ear of the broadest possible cross-section of the community and help us to engage them in the fight for LGBTIQ equality. We need to mobilise everyday Australians, no matter what their political persuasion, to get them talking to their politicians, writing letters, making phone calls, and letting Australian politicians know Australians value equality for all and expect our laws to reflect that.”
Following his expulsion from the Equal Love group Carmichael said he’s looking to the future.
“I’m only interested in moving forward with the Marriage Equality and LGBTIQ equality campaign at this point. Achieving equality is my primary concern.”
Equal Love Brisbane stated that they did not believe they had any role to play in censoring what materials individual groups brought to their rallies.
“We do not believe it is the role of Equal Love Brisbane to censor, control or condemn materials that any supporting individual or group brings to the rallies, whilst acknowledging the controversy surrounding one of the banners at our last demonstration. There are a range of opinions in the LGBTI community and within our own organisation on this question. We would like to reiterate that Equal Love Brisbane does not take responsibility for the material of other groups or individuals and that is our stance.”
Equal Love – Brisbane have declared that they will be making no further comment on the issues beyond their posted statement.
 Graeme Watson
