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Add page to: Add page to: Did you know that gay couples are obviously incapable of being good parents and that some State MP's believe that laws should be passed in order to stop gay couples from advertising sperm and egg donation? Obviously only heterosexuals make good parents... they never abuse their children mentally or physically, not like those terrible gay people!
Can You Believe this kind of attitude?! As if your sexual preference has anything to do with your ability to be a good parent and raise your child to be happy and healthy. Do our politicians really have the right to pass such discriminatory laws in order to justify their own bigoted and discriminatory outlook on the world. If your sexual preferences make a difference to how you rear your children - do those people that have sex in non-missionary positions treat their off-spring differently from those good folk who do? Puh-leese!
The premise of this argument is that if the Government will not allow gay couples to adopt they should also not be allowed access to sperm banks or should not be allowed the means to advertise personally or do basically anything that allows them to bring a child into this world. This is the only relatively logical argument that he makes in my opinion. (I don't actually understand why Gay couples adopting a child is against the law anyway and think perhaps it is the act that stops them from having equal opportunity as other couples that should be amended. Where is the harm if they go through the same screening process as every one else and prove themselves worth and responsible? Isn't the fact that someone could prove a safe, healthy environment for a child more important than what their sexual preference is anyway?). Despite what people may think, the majority of gay are unlikely to raise their children to hate heterosexuals , men or women or to bring up their children to be gay too. Those that do are no worse (and definitely no better) than those heterosexuals that teach their child to hate on the basis of gender, religion, race or ... whatever.
I do not feel strongly about this because it is the politically correct thing to do - obviously politically it is a horrifying thought. I just have not been made to understand how sexual preference specifically makes someone a bad candidate for parenthood. Maybe I'm just thick. But I'd like someone to explain. I do understand that choice of partner may sometimes affect suitability for parenthood - for instance if your partner (male or female) commits acts of domestic violence, then obviously it affects your ability to bring a child up in a safe environment.
I got suitably angry when I read the opinion of South Australian MP, Mr Robert Brokenshire, in a Parliamentary debate where he declares in particular that he would like an amendment to an Act (if you can be bothered reading the debate - you should) because he doesn't believe gay people should have children.
During his debate he states that he has spoken to a number of people - including those he knows well. I suggest that perhaps he moves in like minded circles and if he knows the people well, this is more likely to be the case? Did he actively seek opinions from various women's organisations, gay groups and university groups/students who may not necessarily share his opinions?
The argument (and I use the term argument very loosely here) that Mr Robert Brokenshire uses that made me particularly go nuts was the mention of an Article in the 'The Age' that stated that a Lesbian mother killed her son and herself after the gay sperm donor who fathered the child sought closer ties with him. Suicide and homicide is terrible in anyone's book. What I don't like about the use of this particular argument is
The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher)in same argument says that: "I know that this measure is directed specifically against lesbians, but I am aware of situations where very responsible, professional women live together, but they are not lesbians, according to any reasonable definition, because they are not in a sexual relationship. Although it sounds paradoxical, in such a case, you would have a double single-parent situation.
". While it's all very nice that he opposes the bill, what's the big difference between two single women acting as parents and a lesbian couple being parents? (Other than one set of these parents is in a committed relationship and is a couple, that is). In both cases you are getting two parents, both women. In both cases there is no male influence under the same roof or acting as parents. I don't see how sexuality makes it any better or worse... but a point for trying... maybe.
I agree children should have a number of influences in their life in order to create a balanced outlook on the world but who ever said that they must live under the same roof? I have friends who had two parents of different genders living on the same roof while they were growing up and some of them wish they didn't. As for me, I'm a spoilt brat - my parents still live under the same roof and I'm still thankful I got them as parents... however, I think I am an exception rather than a rule.
Not one of his arguments, or any have I seen to date have convinced me that gay couples make any worse parents than hetrosexual couples. An increasing number of my friends have children, who at school have befriended other children who have two mums, or two dads. It is much more out in the open - and perhaps it's the people I mix with, but they don't stop their children from mixing with their friends just because they have two mums - they are more concerned about whether their children are going to be in a friendly and safe environment... as they should be. A number of hetrosexual homes are subject to domestic abuse in all of it's forms. Don't get me wrong... I am not saying this never happens with a gay couple, I am just saying I doubt very much whether it is in any higher numbers than so called 'normal' families
If you don't believe people should be discriminated on by law because they happen to be in love and in a relationship with someone from the same gender I suggest you send your local MP a letter (and why not email it to all MP's in your state?) asking them to explain to you exactly why gay couples should not be allowed to advertise for sperm and egg and have babies (the Government doesn't like to let them adopt, evil folk that they are said to be, so they are forced to do it a la natural) and just why their sexual preferencee will make them worse parents. Other than religion, which is terribly subjective, I doubt very much they'll come up with anything solid. Make sure you also them to cite sources for their reasoning - and if they don't get back to them and request it. Tell them what you believe is right and fair. CC a copy of your letter to the Prime Minister of Australia too, make your voice heard on all the stuff you believe in. It's your country and you have as much right as any one else in it to have your opinion and say- even if you don't agree with me :)
I feel passionately about this issue because of human rights, the right to be loved and give love in a way that makes you and the other person/people feel good about yourselves and maintain good self esteem, the belief that sexual preference does not affect our ability to parent, the fact I lived next door to a lesbian couple for 8 years who brought up a very well adjusted and outgoing female (who got engaged to a man and later had a child), the fact I have gay friends who I believe would make great parents - and in some cases better parents than straight couples I am aquainted with. If straight people do not have to pass any tests in order to have children (and believe me I have met a number of people that would not pass a basic test in providing a healthy, safe and happy environment even if they cheated) - why the hell should gay people?
The changes to the bill were squashed in first quarter of 2005 with a parlimentary vote of 24 against versus 16 for.
For the record, not because it matters but because I am sure some bigots will assume I am gay and defending my own interests - I'd like to state that I am a heterosexual who was brought up by heterosexual parents who are still together after over 30 years of marriage. I am currently single and have no children. I come from a very small country town and have lived in Alice Springs - not really the environments to over develop sympathy for gay couples, me thinks.
I believe there is more to people than their gender, religion, sexual preferences and age and have a wide variety of friends to demonstrate this belief. I do not subscribe to any Organised Religion but am not anti-God or against those people who do subscribe to a particular religion. I do not like people trying to convert me, I find it presumptious, rude and disrespectful of my right to have my own opinions and beliefs - as they do. Occassionally I even pray. It is my belief (and I am sure that of many others) that Organised Religion has far too many close ties with politics.
Please don't quote the bible at me - religion is - or at least, should be - a personal choice and each church has their own set of doctrines which they feel should be followed. I don't believe that churches should ever be forced by law to carry out gay marriages if it is against their fundamental beliefs but I do not believe it is any of their business if gay couples get married outside of their church be it in another church, in a registry office or in a garden.
For those that are anti-gay, it might be worth noting that while not recognising gays as couples the Government also does not tax them or penalise them for the same things straight couples get taxed for - eg. social security, etc... so you should get a gleeful, if not 'Hah!' look in your eye if they do get recognised as they too are going to have to pay those taxes, fees and get penalised... just like you. Equality is cool, huh?