Despite the fact that news.com.au introduced this article by saying “FATHER Dave Smith is risking his job to write this piece”, I didn’t really anticipate the blow-back. I didn’t lose my job (as yet) but I did lose a lot of friends. Indeed, I thought at one point that all my Muslim friends had abandoned me!
On reflection, it was probably not a bad thing that I suffered a little as a result of our country’s postal-vote on same-sex marriage. The process caused so much tension and open animosity. It brought the worst out of a lot of people. Why should I have been immune from all of that – a curse brought upon us by spineless politicians.
This article appeared on NEWS.COM.AU September 19th, 2017
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Dear Father Dave
I make a further response to your uploaded original article with reflections as an Anglican Minister who supports same-sex marriage.
Firstly may I congratulate you for taking such a brave stance in publishing your unequivocal views. Against other articles I have initiated some dialogue, but I would now like to refine that material in chunked inputs to a maximum of 300 words with embedded links, which I hope will be readily accessible, but let me know of any problems.
As an introductory direct response to your original article may I get right to the point with the aim of illustrating that you are by no means alone in the stance you have taken, which I applaud. Many religious leaders of different persuasions have publicly expressed their support of marriage equality, seen to be synonymous with same-sex marriage.
It is too late to influence participation in the voluntary non-binding survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) as ordered by the Government, the results of which will be formally announced and published on 15 November 2017
Updated ABS Marriage Equality results as at 20171103 published 20171107
https://marriagesurvey.abs.gov.au/news-alerts
https://marriagesurvey.abs.gov.au/results
As at 3 November, there was a pleasing participation rate of 78.5% (12.6 million) of the eligible population as reflected in actual count rate by ABS, but too premature to rely upon breakdowns, despite News Poll and other surveys till the formal results are published. Many of us, including those in our household are hoping the outcome will favour the YES position. If this eventuates, the matter will proceed to Parliament
A counter-Bill will be presented by at least seven Conservatives seeking 100 amendments to protect alleged religious freedoms and the like.
Conservatives to sponsor alternative SSM Bill ABC 20171109
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Regards,
Madeleine Kingston
Dear Father Dave
My belated response to your uploaded original article as an Anglican Minister who supports same-sex marriage own risk.
Firstly I congratulate you for taking such a brave stance in publishing your unequivocal views. Against other articles I have initiated some dialogue, but I would now like to refine that material in chunked inputs to a maximum of 300 words with embedded links, which I hope will be readily accessible, but let me know of any problems.
As an introductory direct response to your original article may I get right to the point with the aim of illustrating that you are by no means alone in the stance you have taken, which I applaud. Many religious leaders of different persuasions have publicly expressed their support of marriage equality, seen to be synonymous with same-sex marriage.
It is too late to influence participation in the voluntary non-binding survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) as ordered by the Government, the results of which will be formally announced and published on 15 November 2017
Updated ABS Marriage Equality results as at 20171103 published 20171107
ABS Marriage Survey News Alerts
ABS Marriage Survey Results
As at 3 November, there was a pleasing participation rate of 78.5% (12.6 million) of the eligible population as reflected in actual count rate by ABS, but too premature to rely upon breakdowns, despite News Poll and other surveys till the formal results are published. Many of us, including those in our household are hoping the outcome will favour the YES position. If this eventuates, the matter will proceed to Parliament
A counter-Bill will be presented by at least seven Conservatives seeking 100 amendments to protect alleged religious freedoms and the like.
Conservatives to sponsor alternative SSM Bill ABC 20171109
More follows
Madeleine Kingston
So Father Dave
With some urgency continue my responses to your brave article.
See article by David Kirby, a retired Supreme Court Judge and devoted brother of Michael Kirby, the Subject as a tribute to the plight of a man who is openly gay.
The life by brother Michael Kirby never had because he was gay and why a yes vote matters Fairfax Media SMH The Age 20170919
Michael Kirby has been in a same-sex devoted partnership with Johan van Vloten for more than 48 years. They would like to see same sex marriage approved and have the option to marry.
Michael Donald Kirby AC CMG is an Australian jurist and academic who is a former Justice of the High Court of Australia, serving from 1996 to 2009. Wikipedia
Office: Puisne Justice of the High Court of Australia since 1996
Michael Kirby is quoted”
“I am the result of a loving upbringing in a peaceful country, with wonderful parents and siblings, a very long-term relationship; stability, support, but a feeling that life isn’t always just and there is injustice and we should do something about it”
AZQuotes Michael Kirby
Credit where due
Career Highlights Michael Kirby
Michael Kirby is an international jurist, educator and former judge. He served as a Deputy President of the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission (1975-83); Chairman of the Australian Law Reform Commission (1975-84); Judge of the Federal Court of Australia (1983-4); President of the New South Wales Court of Appeal (1984-96); President of the Court of Appeal of Solomon Islands (1995-96) and Justice of the High Court of Australia (1996-2009).
Activities include international involvement with UN, Commonwealth Secretariat, OECD;Global Fund Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Has worked in civil society; elected President of the International Commission of Jurists (1995-8).”
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Madeleine Kingston
Father Dave
Continuing on then
http://www/smh.com/au/comment/the-life-my-brother-never-had-becase-he-was-gay-why-a-yes-vote-matters-20170919-GYK7E9.html
Michael Kirby is now 78. He would like to marry his partner Johan. At first he was hesitant to participate in the ABS voluntary non-binding marriage survey. Soon after announcing his dissonance, Michael Kirby changed his mind about abstaining from participation presumably because such a stance would represent a tick for the No position.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-30/former-high-court-judge-michael-kirby-considered-boycotting-sam/8853850
Former High Court Judge Michael Kirby considered boycotting SSM survey ABC 29170830
He said:
“I think it’s shocking actually and I’ve lived long enough to see myself once again discriminated against by imposing an obligation for a postal vote,” he said.
“Most young people today don’t think a thing exists unless they get it on their iPhones, they don’t get letters and if they get a letter that looks like a letter from officials they think it’s junk mail and they won’t fill it in.
It is too late now to influence young or old. The postal survey is closed. Results will be formally provided by the ABS on 15 November 2017 on their website and in formal press coverage. As of the time of the actual ABS count on Friday 3 November (and not allowing for uncounted returns or those posted and or hand-delivered between 3 and 7 November, the response rate was reported as being 78.5% of the eligible registered electoral roll population being a 12.6 million participation return, as I understand it a global record for participation in any voluntary survey or vote.
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Madeleine Kingston
Per
http://www/smh.com/au/comment/the-life-my-brother-never-had-becase-he-was-gay-why-a-yes-vote-matters-20170919-GYK7E9.html
Father Dave
Continuing on then
Michael Kirby is now 78. He would like to marry his partner Johan. At first he was hesitant to participate in the ABS voluntary non-binding marriage survey. Soon after announcing his dissonance, Michael Kirby changed his mind about abstaining from participation presumably because such a stance would represent a tick for the No position.
He said:
“I think it’s shocking actually and I’ve lived long enough to see myself once again discriminated against by imposing an obligation for a postal vote,” he said.
“Most young people today don’t think a thing exists unless they get it on their iPhones, they don’t get letters and if they get a letter that looks like a letter from officials they think it’s junk mail and they won’t fill it in.
It is too late now to influence young or old. The postal survey is closed. Results will be formally provided by the ABS on 15 November 2017 on their website and in formal press coverage. As of the time of the actual ABS count on Friday 3 November (and not allowing for uncounted returns or those posted and or hand-delivered between 3 and 7 November, the response rate was reported as being 78.5% of the eligible registered electoral roll population being a 12.6 million participation return, as I understand it a global record for participation in any voluntary survey or vote.
More follows
Madeleine Kingston
Continuing on
It is too early to know with certainty what the outcome will be, but many believe that the Yes position will predominate, in which case the matter will return for debate before Parliament. In anticipation of the Yes position being sustained, at least seven MPs are preparing a counter-Bill to that already tabled by Liberal MP Dean, supported by Warren Entsch, MP, seeking to introduce 100 objections to the existing Bill, most focused around alleged detriments to “religious freedoms” and to the “preferred education” of young people at least up to the age of 18. Though I am yet to study the proposed counter-Bill, I understand generally that there are concerns about matters of alleged discrimination, far better dealt with under discrimination laws, not marriage laws. Educational matters, of course should be addressed through the Educational Minister and the applicable policies and legislation.
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Madeleine