The following opinion piece by Alex Greenwich was published in the Wimmera Mail Times on 25.2.11 in response to Marriage: God’s Plan by Willem Vandenberg of the Horsham Presbyterian Church published in the WMT a few days earlier.
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Willem Vandenberg and the Horsham Presbyterian Church have every right to celebrate marriage as they believe God designed it – the union of a man and a woman.
But this doesn’t mean same-sex couples should not be allowed to be legally married.
Australian law makes a clear distinction between religious and civil marriages.
Civil marriages, which now make up almost 70% of Australian marriages, can be between people of different faiths or no faith.
Divorce and de facto relationships are allowed even though some religions condemn them.
It is a double-standard to refuse to allow same-sex couples to legally marry just because some religions oppose same-sex relationships.
Given that infertile heterosexual couples can legally marry, it is also a double standard to bar same-sex couples from marriage because they cannot “naturally” procreate.
The same rules do not apply to religious marriages.
If a particular church does not wish to marry divorced partners, partners of different faiths, or partners who can’t have children, it is free to turn them away.
The same freedom will apply when same-sex couples are allowed to marry.
But in return, churches must recognise that we live in a democratic society with secular laws.
They should not impose their values on those who do not share them.
There are many reasons for allowing same-sex couples to marry under civil law.
Marriage equality is about legal equality for all Australians, the removal of harmful discrimination, and inclusion in a core social institution.
It is about gay and lesbian partners sharing with their families and friends that special moment when they declare their life-long love and commitment for each other.
It is about providing the children of same-sex couples with the same protection, security and recognition that can come with having married parents.
This is why marriage equality has the support of a majority of Australians, including a majority of people in western Victoria according to a recent large-scale national poll.
Just because marriage has traditionally excluded gay and lesbian couples doesn’t mean it has to stay that way.
In the past, interracial marriages were banned and women were expected to stay at home when they married but society is better for having moved on.
Same-sex marriages are allowed in many other countries, including Canada, South Africa, and Catholic Spain and Argentina, without any of the dire consequences opponents of equality predicted.
Marriage is about love not prejudice, belonging not exclusion.
It’s time to re-inforce this by allowing marriage between same-sex couples.
Alex Greenwich is engaged to his partner Victor. He is the National Convener of Australian Marriage Equality