Marriage equality advocates have addressed concerns expressed by the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney that marriage equality will lead to violations of religious freedom.
The Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, made a bleak warning “of a future in which bishops are gaoled, political dissent is all but silenced, scripture lessons are banned, and religious tax exemptions are eroded, should same-sex marriage be legalised”.
Australian Marriage Equality deputy national director, Ivan Hinton-Teoh, said,
“Throughout the world almost 1 billion people live in countries where marriage equality prevails and the sky is yet to fall in. There are only a couple of examples of wedding service providers facing legal action and they are all from the US.”
“The Australian context is vastly different to the United States. Australians have enjoyed living with anti-discrimination laws that provide a guarantee that all Australians, regardless of orientation or gender identity have access to products and services without discrimination.”
“The vast majority of Australians would not think it fair to see same-sex couples singled out to be discriminated against in their day-to-day lives.”
“Many would be concerned that any broad religious exemption to discriminate against same-sex couples could lead to further erosion to safeguards provided to other minority groups, prone to persecution.”
“Australians will not support going down this path.”
Despite the Archbishop’s fears, there have been no instances of bishops being gaoled for opposition to marriage equality.
Research commissioned by Australian Marriage Equality indicates that 67% of Australian Catholics support the reform.
Hinton-Teoh said, “The national conversation about marriage equality is now in its 11th year. Most Australians, including the majority of Australian Catholics, are calling for reform to remove discrimination, not further enshrine it.”
For more information contact Ivan Hinton-Teoh on 0419 124 826.
Author: Ivan Hinton-Teoh
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 15 October 2015