Advocates have called on Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott to condemn gay-hate election flyers appearing across the nation that target both Liberal and Labor candidates who support marriage equality.

Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said,

“These flyers use objectionable images of children and false information from the US to stir up fear and hate against marriage equality and those Liberal, Labor and Independent candidates who support it.”

“The flyers will have a particularly harmful impact on young gay people coming to terms with their sexuality and on the children being raised by same-sex couples.”

“This hateful fear-mongering against candidates on both sides of politics has no place in the Australian election campaign and we call on Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott to condemn it.”

Tens of thousands of flyers featuring stock images of unhappy children and allegations marriage equality will lead to the teaching of homosexuality in kindergarten have been distributed in the last two days in electorates in Queensland, Victoria and NSW.

Although they are authorised by different individuals who claim to be acting independently, Gay Star News has reported:

“The address listed on the flyer for the Moreton electorate of Labor MP Graham Perrett is that of the Queensland office of the National Civic Council – a group affiliated with the far right Australian Family Association”.

Mr Croome said,

“This is clearly a well co-ordinated and well-funded campaign and we call on whatever organisations are behind it to step into the light of public scrutiny.”

Australian Marriage Equality has distributed a quarter of a million flyers during this election in key electorates across the country.

“In contrast to the stock images and false information from the hate flyers, our flyers featured real local people with real stories, and urged candidates to support marriage equality rather than condemning them for their stance.”

Addressing the content for the flyers, Mr Croome said,

“We agree that the needs of children should be put first and marriage equality will do this by providing the children of same-sex couples with the sense of stability, security and affirmation that can come from having married parents.”

Electorates where flyers have been reported include Brisbane, Moreton, Jagga Jagga, Petrie, Isaacs, Indi, Lilley, Blaxland and Ballarat.

Facsimiles of the flyers can be found here, here and here. Commentary from popular website Mamamia, can be found here.

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

Author: Rodney Croome
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 4 September 2013