An Open Letter to Liberal/National Members of Parliament to encourage them to change the view of Mr Abbott regarding his refusal to allow a Conscience Vote
Marriage equality and the Conscience Vote
13th December 2011
Dear Members of the Parliamentary Liberal and National parties,
As National Spokesperson for parents with lesbian daughters and gays sons I am writing to you about the issue of marriage equality and the need for all Members of the Australian Federal Parliament to have the right to a Conscience Vote on this issue.
Please be aware that a conscience vote if permitted will eliminate debate and the community can move on. This issue should not be about politics and one upmanship, lesbians and gays (our sons and daughters) lives and well being will be affected by the outcome and I urge you to encourage other MPs to lobby Mr Abbott about permitting a conscience vote, regardless of whether you favour equality or not. It’s about democracy.
I would urge you to consider that if your party wants to be elected and be seen as credible and fair minded, it should be seen as a party for all Australians, not just the close minded with silenced representatives.
We know and you know, that many members of your political party are in favour of equality and we feel it’s most important that Mr Abbott understand that all voices be heard, not just his. The Prime Minister of the UK, Mr Cameron is a self declared Conservative and is supportive of marriage equality, because marriage is conservative.
As a parent of a gay male, who was a sergeant of police in Queensland and now works at the Sydney Opera House in (business continuity and disaster management) I want him to have the same rights as his brother, cousins and society generally. He and every other lesbian and gay person deserve the same rights and respect of their relationships, which include the right and choice to marry.
Personally, I hate going to weddings because instead of it being a time of celebration, to me it’s a blatant reminder that James, my gay son is seen as second rate because unless laws change he will never have the privilege of celebrating his relationship in the same manner just because he was born gay. Times are changing conservative religious countries overseas are permitting same sex couples to marry. Why not Australia?
Yours sincerely
Shelley Argent OAM
President PFLAG Brisbane Inc.
National Spokesperson PFLAG
Qld Senior Australian of the Year 2011
For further information contact 0409-363-335
