Marriage equality advocates have condemned as “disrespectful” the link drawn between marriage equality and incest by West Australian state MP, Nick Goiran.
Australian Marriage Equality’s Deputy National Director, Ivan Hinton, said,
“Marriage equality is about allowing the current definition of marriage to embrace same-sex couples, not radically changing marriage to include other types of relationships.”
“To compare the loving, committed relationships of same-sex attracted Australians with incestuous relationships is offensive to many Australians, and particularly harmful young people coming to terms with their sexuality”
“No country that has achieved marriage equality gone on to legitimise incest, showing there is no link between these two issues.”
WA Convenor for AME, Brian Greig, called on Premier Barnett to distance himself from Mr Goiran’s comments and reaffirm his commitment to a Liberal Party conscience vote on the issue.
“It’s not enough for the Premier to hide behind ‘freedom of speech’. These comments are wrong and offensive and must be condemned by community Leaders,” Mr Greig said.
“The same ‘slippery-slope’ arguments were once used against interracial marriages and, today, we know the basis of those arguments was blind prejudice.”
Mr Hinton said Mr Goiran’s comments are a reminder of the risks associated with holding a referendum on marriage equality.
“Very quickly we’d find ourselves facing a nasty fear campaign based on irrelevant and offensive arguments of incest, polygamy and beastiality.”
“That would be very hurtful and damaging to same-sex couples and their children.”
For a news report on My Goiran’s comments, click here.
For more information contact Ivan Hinton on 0419 124 826 or Brian Greig on 0407 776 961.
Author: Ivan Hinton, Brian Greig
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 17 August 2013