Australian politics - discrimination - elections

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Australian politics discrimination elections - Rainbow Reporter

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Gillard Comes Out - She WILL Block Equal Marriage

August 19th 2010 20:24

Julia (and God) says No

For months now wishful thinkers poring over tiny nuances in the Prime Ministers words and body language have been deluding themselves she wouldn't block equal marriage.

However, we no longer need to attempt to read Ms Gillards's tea-leaves or entrails, because she has now laid it on the line.

She will block moves towards equal marriage, and what's more, in a burst of hypocrisy, this self-confessed atheist uses Christianity to justify her stance.

"Ms Gillard told The Australian there was a substantive basis to her rejection of same-sex marriage.

"She now rules out any change in her opposition to same-sex marriage during the life of her government. She said she appreciated "our heritage as a Christian country" and believed "the marriage act has a special status in our culture"."

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Posted By: Doug Pollard - Category: Australian politics, discrimination, elections, gay lesbian politics, equal marriage

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Screamers, shock-jocks and crystal balls

August 15th 2010 02:23

Another year, another rally, and thankfully this time I remembered to bring my earplugs to shut out the ear-splitting screech of that jargon-ridden young woman who has not yet learned: either scream, or use a bullhorn, but not both.

It was gratifying to see that Hobart, Sydney and Brisbane all drew larger numbers than before: saddening to see that Madame Screech and her revolutionary cohorts have successfully driven away large numbers of potential Melbourne supporters.

Estimates of numbers at the Melbourne march varied wildly - The Age reported only 600, police thought about 1,000, other attendees suggested figures ranging up to 4,000 - but from what I saw were clearly down on previous turnouts and nowhere near the organisers absurd claim of 6,000. I doubt more than 1,000 actually marched: although there may have been more at the speeches, many slipped away when the crowd began to move.

Perhaps we are growing tired of pushing the same barrow. I certainly am. I really do not understand why we are even debating this any more. Nowadays most people are saying, “Why is this an issue? Of course equal marriage is right.”

And if it’s not marriage, it’s not equal, end of story. To enact a civil unions or other marriage-mimicking scheme, without also enacting equal marriage at the same time, would be to enshrine apartheid-style discrimination in law. Surely no-one in their right minds can possibly support this?

I have no objection to a situation where we have marriage and civil unions both equally open to everyone, but how anyone can suggest accepting, even temporarily, a situation where there is one law for heterosexuals and a different one for us pink niggers, is beyond me. But that is where the pollies seem to be herding us.

Look into my crystal ball.

Labor is re-elected, just. They allow a conscience vote on equal marriage. It fails, because most Labor and Liberal MPs oppose it. They claim they can’t move on equal marriage because there is no ‘consensus.’

Labor then introduces a minimalist civil union scheme, which the Greens reluctantly support because it's 'at least a step in the right direction'. They tell us this sell-out is proof they're a grown-up political party now. Our second-class status is written into the law.

This is where I fear we’re heading. If we let civil unions happen, it will block true equality for years. But we won’t stop this by screaming in the streets. It’s time to hit the posh dinner tables and the smart luncheon speaker circuit.

And AFTER we get marriage, THEN we can start on civil unions, what we call them, what they do/do not confer, whether government should get out of the relationships business, and how many ALP strategists can dance on the head of a pin in a backroom at party conference.

If people like Melbourne radio shock-jocks Derryn Hinch and now Neil Mitchell can see the light and argue for equal marriage, then the next government and parliament should be able to get their heads around it. We just need to give them a hand. Instead of screaming at them.

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Posted By: Doug Pollard - Category: Australian politics, discrimination, elections, gay lesbian politics, equal marriage

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Open Letter to Abbott & Gillard

August 9th 2010 20:57

Yesterday Family First senate candidate Wendy Francis likened gay
couples to child abusers, and said they were creating a new stolen generation.

She tweeted: "Children in homosexual relationships are subject to emotional abuse. Legitimising gay marriage is like legalising child abuse."

She confirms this in an interview with PM on ABC. Really Long Link , although she tries to weasel out of it.

Victorian One Nation president John Groves backed her up, tweeting ‘‘U
have a backer in me, love to do some Poofter Bashing from time too
time,The Reason as a kid I was abused by such an Animal.’’

Will you please make a public statement condemning people who
stir up hate in this fashion and confirming your support for same-sex
families?

Doug Pollard

PS the One Nation website prominently displays the following message:

SHOULD THERE BE ANY MATTERS YOU WISH TO DISCUSS PLEASE PHONE JOHN GROVES, STATE PRESIDENT ON 0439 386 942

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Posted By: Doug Pollard - Category: Australian politics, discrimination, elections, gay lesbian politics, equal marriage

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Leaking Bile

August 1st 2010 06:28

The seat of political judgement

We used to get our politics pre-digested for us by press, radio and television, but now we can suck it straight from the teat. This is my first online election. The unmoderated voice of the people. And it can be pretty raw.

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Posted By: Doug Pollard - Category: Australian politics, books writing blogging, discrimination, elections, gay lesbian politics, equal marriage

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Letter to the ALP campaign bunker

July 30th 2010 21:43

Poll!! Incoming!!!

Dear ALP Campaign HQ

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Posted By: Doug Pollard - Category: Australian politics, censorship, discrimination, elections, equality, gay lesbian politics, equal marriage, equal rights

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A Wasted Vote

July 12th 2010 10:29

Hawaii was once a very beautiful place, but even twenty years ago, when I first visited, the beauty was steadily being concreted over to provide hotels, restaurants and resorts for the people attracted by the very beauty they were destroying.

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Posted By: Doug Pollard - Category: Australian politics, Melbourne, discrimination, elections

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Winter of Discontent

June 7th 2010 04:38

Cold, wet, windy, I’m huddling indoors by a blazing log fire and brooding on the fact that while coming out is liberating and exhilarating, being out is an exasperating chore. Every moment of every day, in small things and large, you must choose. Be out, or pass for straight? Be honest, or lie?

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Posted By: Doug Pollard - Category: Australian politics, discrimination, elections, gay lesbian politics, equal rights

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The Silence of the Roos

May 30th 2010 05:31

Madonna-style diplomacy

Strong condemnation from the UN, the UK and the US, the Scottish Parliament, the South African President, and even Madonna, has freed the two Malawians sentenced to 14 years hard labour for “gross indecency and unnatural acts.”

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Posted By: Doug Pollard - Category: Australian politics, discrimination, elections, gay lesbian politics

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More Queers Overboard

May 9th 2010 03:02

Lindsay goes after Green voters

Well, it’s been a pretty predictable week. Once again rumours that a gay player would be outed on the Footy Show proved false. Once again Kyle Sandilands showed his quality, mocking a disabled contestant on Australia’s Got Talent. (Question: if Australia HAS got Talent, how did those three get on the panel

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Posted By: Doug Pollard - Category: Australian politics, Melbourne, discrimination, elections, equality, gay lesbian politics, equal marriage

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Queers Overboard Again

May 2nd 2010 06:43

Slavers jettisoning cargo

As the good ship Labor slowly sinks in the polls, the crew is ripping out the furniture and chucking it in the drink to try and keep her afloat

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Posted By: Doug Pollard - Category: Australian politics, discrimination, elections, gay lesbian politics, equal marriage, equal rights

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The Charter of Rights: A Fairy Story

April 25th 2010 20:54

Princess Julia eagerly anticipates the latest addition to her portfolio collection by creating a colour-matched office

The Little Peoples of the land petitioned the Wizard for a Charter of Rights. For centuries they had been bullied by the Goddy Folk, who told them what Rights they could have, and if they didn’t like it, they could lump it. The Little People wanted a Charter to guarantee Fairness for Everyone

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Posted By: Doug Pollard - Category: Australian politics, Melbourne, discrimination, elections, equality, gay lesbian politics

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