I have watched the Gay Rights movement with interest and have witnessed profound shifts in attitudes within Australian society since the 1970’s. I grew up in the era where homosexuals where labelled poofters and were treated appallingly by society. Homophobia (fear of homosexuals) was widespread and Heterophilials wielded their power. Violence was common and some groups of young men considered it a fun night out to go “gay bashing”. So it is not surprising that the gay community has mobilised and engaged in a phenomenally successful campaign to shift public attitudes. They have succeeded to the point where a question on gay marriage was the most popular question put to our Prime Minister in a recent social media forum.
Yet there are some things I find disturbing about the nature of the public debate around this issue. Before raising these concerns, I wish to make it clear that regardless of personal opinions – however deeply held, I believe there is no reasonable legal or ethical basis for a secular pluralistic state like Australia to oppose gay marriage.