No Gay Marriage: Australian Senate and House of Representatives votes are in.

IzakDavid13 · Sep 20, 2012

Just two of the 30 Queensland MPs voted in support of same-sex marriage when Australia's House of Representatives comprehensively rejected the proposal yesterday.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/que...ay-marriage-20120920-268j8.html#ixzz26zzdr8Ay

Senate votes down same-sex marriage bill

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-20/senate-votes-down-same-sex-marriage-bill/4272366

The Senate has joined the House of Representatives in voting down legislation aimed at allowing same-sex couples to marry.

The final vote on the bill introduced by Labor senators was 26 in favour and 41 against.

See which way senators voted
Labor senator Penny Wong, who is openly gay, described the result as disappointing and a failure of the Parliament to remove discrimination.

"Despite the results in both the House of Representatives and the Senate this week, I believe we have achieved a great deal," she said.

"To the many supporters of marriage equality, I encourage you to continue to campaign for marriage equality in each state and federally."

Yesterday, just 42 MPs in the Lower House supported a private members bill put forward by Labor backbencher Stephen Jones while 98 MPs voted against.

The defeat of gay marriage legislation this week has prompted renewed debate about the merits of Commonwealth legislation to recognise same-sex civil unions.

Liberal MP Warren Entsch says he has a private members bill ready to go and is now considering whether to introduce it.

"What I've drafted is actually a civil partnerships bill," Mr Entsch told ABC Radio.

"It's two persons who are in a relationship as a couple regardless of their sex and who meet the eligibility criteria."

Mr Entsch believes the legislation would have a better chance of success than changes to marriage laws.

He has the support of Liberal frontbencher Malcolm Turnbull, who has previously argued that supporters of same-sex marriage should not allow "the perfect to be the enemy of the good".

But other gay marriage advocates disagree, arguing the move would just entrench discrimination.

"I will not support continuing discrimination against same-sex couples in this country and I will not support a civil unions bill," Greens MP Adam Bandt said.

"To put in civil unions would in fact be a step backwards."

'Let the dust settle'

Mr Entsch says he plans to speak with his leader about the proposed legislation, but Tony Abbott has already expressed his concerns about the move.

"We really should let the dust settle on these parliamentary votes before we rush off and do something else," Mr Abbott said.

"The second point I make is that the constitutional prerogatives of the Commonwealth are in the field of marriage, and civil unions really ought to be the prerogative of the state parliaments.

"But I know I will continue dialogue with Warren (Entsch) and various colleagues on this subject."

Leading up to the vote, Liberal senator Sue Boyce said she was considering whether to cross the floor and support the same-sex marriage legislation.

The move would have gone against the Liberal Party's policy which defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

"If my vote were going to mean this bill passed, it would be an easy decision for me to say, 'yes, I'll cross the floor'," Senator Boyce told ABC News 24.

"But because of the way the Labor Government has brought this all on, we know that it's going to be lost."

In the end, Senator Boyce abstained from voting.

In declaring his opposition to the move, Democratic Labor Party senator John Madigan took a swipe at the campaign used by those advocating a change to marriage laws.

"Love is not and should not be a basis for any legislation," Senator Madigan said.

"Slogans such as 'equal love' and 'love does not discriminate' are based on a sentimentality that has little to do with love."

Labor MPs and senators were given a conscience vote on the legislation, resulting in colleagues arguing strongly against each others' positions.

Labor senator John Hogg is also the President of the Senate and rarely speaks during debates on legislation, but today he too declared his opposition to changing marriage laws.

"I have a deep-seated belief that marriage is between a man and a woman exclusively," he said.

"I utterly reject the offensive language of some of those supporting the bill that people who share my views are discriminatory or homophobic.

"This is absolutely nonsense of the first order and is a desperate resort to try and isolate those who don't share their views."

Despite the legislation failing to pass the Senate, same-sex marriage advocates say the debate has garnered public support for the change.
Click to expand...

Lower House votes down same-sex marriage bill

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-19/same-sex-marriage-bill-voted-down/4270016

The House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted against legislation that would have allowed same-sex couples to marry.

Just 42 MPs supported the private members bill put forward by Labor backbencher Stephen Jones, while 98 MPs voted against.

See which way MPs voted
The vote was held not long after it was announced that Liberal senator Cory Bernardi had resigned as a parliamentary secretary over comments he made linking gay marriage to sex with animals.

Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese, who backed the legislation, says the vote shows there has been significant progress towards legalising gay marriage.

"Just a few years ago there wouldn't have been the support of anything like 42 votes on the floor of the national Parliament for a marriage equality bill," Mr Albanese told reporters soon after the vote.

"All the figures show that there is majority community support on this issue... and I think at some future time, Parliament will catch up with the community opinion."

Labor MPs had been given a conscience vote on the legislation, but Coalition MPs were expected to follow the party's position on the issue, which does not allow for any change to marriage laws.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her deputy Wayne Swan voted against the legislation, while many of their Cabinet colleagues voted in support of the change.

Mr Jones said even though the vote had been lost, he has claimed victory in securing public support for the change.

"Clearly we've won the debate in the Australian community - over 62 per cent of Australians believe that we should make laws to allow for marriage equality," he said.

"Unfortunately we haven't won the debate in the Australian Parliament.

"In the words of another great Australian, 'maintain your rage', because I'm quite confident that in about 10 years' time, some or all of us are going to be attending a same-sex marriage that will be both conducted and recognised here in Australia."

There are three other bills currently before Parliament that would have the same effect as Mr Jones's bill. It is unclear at this stage when they will be brought on for a vote.

'Slap in the face'

Same-sex marriage campaigners have described today's result as a "slap in the face" to gay and lesbian Australians who want to marry their partner.

The head of the group called Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Shelley Argent, says it is not fair that homosexual people are viewed as "second-rate" citizens.

"I think this Government - the whole of the Parliament that voted against this - should just be ashamed," Ms Argent told reporters.

"What I found actually really quite sad this morning was... I know that there were several of the Coalition members sitting there voting against it, where I know that they're actually very much in favour of equality."

Liberal frontbencher Malcolm Turnbull, who has spoken out in favour of same-sex marriage laws, voted against the legislation because of Mr Abbott's decision not to allow a free vote on the issue.*

The head of the Australian Christian Lobby, Jim Wallace, who came under fire for comparing the health effects of smoking with homosexuality, has thanked those MPs who voted against the legislation.

"I would like to thank the Opposition for keeping its election promise and for all those members of Labor who, as a matter of conscience, voted to ensure that marriage remained between a man and a woman," Mr Wallace said in a statement.

He says most Australians were now keen to move on from the debate.
Click to expand...

Our openly gay Minister Penny Wong

A Random Poll

Also...Liberal Senator Bernardi resigns after bestiality comment:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-19/controversy-over-cory-bernardi-bestiality-comments/4269604

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Is this a sad day for human rights and equality?

Where to next for the Australian LGBT's?

Your thoughts.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

dharocks · Sep 20, 2012

'Liberal' and 'Conservative' have essentially opposite meanings in Australian politics when compared to the U.S., correct?

Anyway, this is interesting. My understanding was that the general population of Australia tends to be more on the secular side, and it's interesting that ~70% are in favor of allowing same-sex marriage according to your poll (closer to 50-55% in the US). Is it religious leadership that's largely responsible for the opposition or something else?

IzakDavid13 · Sep 20, 2012

NEWS FLASH...

Whilst I still believe that marriage is the union of Man and Woman, I am no longer vehemently opposed to 'gay marriage' as I once was.

I still don't support it,( and I still think that two blokes is yuk), and I still believe that it goes against the will of God, but I no longer radically oppose it as I once did....thanks to discussions with the gay dudes and their support group here in the Clutchfans D&D.

If two gays want to live together in a civil union, what's it got to do with me?
There are much bigger issues to worry about in life...as FranchiseBlade would say, 'let God be their judge, not you.'

And no, I'm not becoming a 'liberal'.

~~~~~~~
To clarify...in Australia our Labour Party is like your Democrats and our Liberal Party is like your Republicans.

Our Green party are a bunch of pot smoking vegan hippie tree huggers.

~~~~~~~~~~~

thadeus · Sep 20, 2012

Congratulations IzakDavid13. Now you don't need to worry about naked gay men leaping from the bushes and marrying you.

Mathloom · Sep 20, 2012

Tyranny of the majority?

IzakDavid13 · Sep 20, 2012

thadeus said: ↑

Congratulations IzakDavid13. Now you don't need to worry about naked gay men leaping from the bushes and marrying you.
Click to expand...

I employed a gay guy once and he told me on the first day of work that he found both men and women attractive.

I didn't know what to say...the only thing that came out of my mouth was...
'do you find me attractive?'

His response was 'No' and that 'no gay man would ever find me attractive.'

I was actually quite insulted.

da_juice · Sep 20, 2012

IzakDavid13 said: ↑

Our Green party are a bunch of pot smoking vegan hippie tree huggers.
Click to expand...

So does ours!

On the subject at hand, I don't see how 70% of the country can support gay marriage but then have virtually no legislative support. Is Queensland traditionally conservative?

IzakDavid13 · Sep 20, 2012

da_juice said: ↑

So does ours!

On the subject at hand, I don't see how 70% of the country can support gay marriage but then have virtually no legislative support. Is Queensland traditionally conservative?
Click to expand...

The 70% support is a blatant media lie. Most Australians either couldn't care less, or are happy for gays to be together if they choose, but not in support of it being called gay marriage.

Australians are usually very laid back, our motto is 'she'll (she will) be right mate'...which means get over it & move on.

I'm a QUEENSLANDER, the northern state...and are like the conservative south in the USA. If you've seen the movie Australia and crocodile Dundee it is still like that in most places outside of the big cities.

RudyTBag · Sep 20, 2012

Folks that oppose gay marriage might as well have stamps on their heads that read "scientifically illiterate".

More proof that religion can make an otherwise good man, backwards.

RudyTBag · Sep 20, 2012

Think about the thousands of folks that are born with both male AND female genitals, yet they often relate to a specific gender. Think about it...

God's cruel joke perhaps?

finalsbound · Sep 20, 2012

IzakDavid13 said: ↑

And no, I'm not becoming a 'liberal'.
Click to expand...

muahahaaaaa this is how it starts

Orange · Sep 20, 2012

A win for the good guys.

AroundTheWorld · Sep 20, 2012

IzakDavid13 said: ↑

NEWS FLASH...

Whilst I still believe that marriage is the union of Man and Woman, I am no longer vehemently opposed to 'gay marriage' as I once was.

I still don't support it,( and I still think that two blokes is yuk), and I still believe that it goes against the will of God, but I no longer radically oppose it as I once did....thanks to discussions with the gay dudes and their support group here in the Clutchfans D&D.

If two gays want to live together in a civil union, what's it got to do with me?
There are much bigger issues to worry about in life...as FranchiseBlade would say, 'let God be their judge, not you.'

And no, I'm not becoming a 'liberal'.
Click to expand...

Good statement - in contrast to some of the stalinist blockheads in the D&D, you are capable of independent thought and of changing your mind. Some of these guys are so ideologically tied up and incapable of independent thought that they will rather do this than ever change their mind, no matter how many facts are presented to them:

My point of view: I agree with this:

If two gays want to live together in a civil union, what's it got to do with me?
Click to expand...

brantonli24 · Sep 20, 2012

IzakDavid13 said: ↑

~~~~~~~
To clarify...in Australia our Labour Party is like your Democrats and our Liberal Party is like your Republicans.

Our Green party are a bunch of pot smoking vegan hippie tree huggers.

~~~~~~~~~~~
Click to expand...

Thanks for clarifying that, cause I got seriously confused at this bit:

The move would have gone against the Liberal Party's policy which defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
Click to expand...

Weird name swapping down under...

Ender120 · Sep 20, 2012

IzakDavid13 said: ↑

NEWS FLASH...

Whilst I still believe that marriage is the union of Man and Woman, I am no longer vehemently opposed to 'gay marriage' as I once was.

I still don't support it,( and I still think that two blokes is yuk), and I still believe that it goes against the will of God, but I no longer radically oppose it as I once did....thanks to discussions with the gay dudes and their support group here in the Clutchfans D&D.

If two gays want to live together in a civil union, what's it got to do with me?
There are much bigger issues to worry about in life...as FranchiseBlade would say, 'let God be their judge, not you.'

And no, I'm not becoming a 'liberal'.

~~~~~~~
To clarify...in Australia our Labour Party is like your Democrats and our Liberal Party is like your Republicans.

Our Green party are a bunch of pot smoking vegan hippie tree huggers.

~~~~~~~~~~~
Click to expand...

Man, if we could just convince you that all muslims are not inherently evil because of their religion (or at the very least, no more than christians are), you might be an ok dude.

Batman Jones · Sep 21, 2012

Ender120 said: ↑

Man, if we could just convince you that all muslims are not inherently evil because of their religion (or at the very least, no more than christians are), you might be an ok dude.
Click to expand...

[KingCheetah]Doubtful.[/KingCheetah]

getsmartnow · Sep 21, 2012

I think this is my first ever post in the D&D, but as an Aussie I have this to say:

IzakDavid13 · Sep 21, 2012

Ender120 said: ↑

Man, if we could just convince you that all muslims are not inherently evil because of their religion (or at the very least, no more than christians are), you might be an ok dude.
Click to expand...

I believe that 100%.

Surprisingly I have spent the last week with a few of my old friends, and friends of my mother...most of whom are Muslim...and none of them was wearing a suicide vest or had placards calling for the beheading of infidels.

Brother I have nothing against anyone of any religion (or sexual orientation), I was just pointing out the facts regarding certain religious doctrines that I believe are the root problem, or underlying cause of the constant violence and Anti-Western sentiment in many Islamic countries.

finalsbound · Sep 21, 2012

Batman Jones said: ↑

Click to expand...

fify

ima_drummer2k · Sep 21, 2012

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No Gay Marriage: Australian Senate and House of Representatives votes are in.

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