Australian marriage equality advocates have called on union boss, Joe De Bruyn, to survey has union’s members on allowing same-sex marriages following De Bruyn’s outburst against the issue.

De Bruyn, head of the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Union (SDA) and a member of Labor’s National Executive, has said he agrees with Nationals Senator, Ron Boswell’s, declaration that Labor backers of marriage equality will not have the support of people in the front bar of working class pubs.

“Out in the real world people do not want this. It’s an issue of interest in a few inner-city seats only”, Mr De Bruyn said.

Australian Marriage Equality spokesperson, Alex Greenwich, said he believes a majority of SDA members support marriage equality because polls show clear majority support among blue collar workers, among Australians generally, and especially among young people who make up the bulk of SDA members.

“Working Australians strongly value equality and fair treatment for everyone”, Mr Greenwich said.

“We call on Mr De Bruyn to survey his members and then properly represent them, rather than using his position of authority to advocate his own personal views.”

Mr Greenwich was backed up by supermarket worker and former SDA union shop steward, John Kloprogge, who left the union because of what he describes as “an unrepresentative and prejudiced leadership”.

“I could not continue to represent and pay dues to an organisation that actively campaigns against my rights as a gay man”, Mr Kloprogge said.

“I would consider re-joining but only when the union represents its membership rather than the out-dated views of a few of its bosses.”

Mr Greenwich also challenged Mr De Bruyn’s view that marriage can only be between a man and a woman because “this has been the way that it has been in the existence of the human race.”

“Who can marry has changed markedly down the years, with interracial and inter-faith unions now no longer considered objectionable.”

“But the fundamental hallmark of marriage – the recognition of a loving, enduring, romantic relationship – has not changed, and will not change just because same-sex partners can marry.”

Mr Kloprogge can be contacted on 0422 913 942.
For further information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.