LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
I AM writing to voice my support for Darren Chester and his change of view regarding gay marriage equality.
It takes a brave and courageous politician to be strong enough to change their views, knowing that the backlash from the National Party and the Christian lobby groups would be harsh.
This proved to be true, with regards to articles in last week’s newspaper (Gippsland Times, 16/6).
As a gay person living in Sale, I had never voted National.
On this issue alone, I would vote for Darren Chester.
Whether he remains a National Party candidate, remains to be seen, although he would make an excellent independent candidate.
As for the views of Patrick McIvor, and his little band of merry men and women (the National Party), please remember, at the last election your party for regional Victoria and Australia, almost lost political party status.
Are not your alarm bells ringing?
More regional voters voted for the Greens and independents than for you.
Rural regions have moved on. The Nationals have been left behind.
The National Party need new ideas and new agenda.
Become a more progressive party or perish.
Go the way of the Democrats. Your choice.
You don’t speak for me.
More and more gay people are, and have moved to regional areas.
We are a part of dynamic rural communities. We are just a part of society.
We are not asking for more rights than everyone else, just to have the same rights as everyone else.
For Pastor Brian Health and the Christian lobby groups to complain about there being no discussion or consultation done, where have you lot been?
Society and rural communities have been discussing this very issue for 30 years, around kitchen tables, shopping centres, pubs, clubs, Raymond St, local businesses and multi-national businesses.
Society has come to the conclusion that the idea of gay marriage equality is ok and should be adopted.
As shown in national surveys time and time again the earth will probably not implode, the sky will probably not fall in on us and society has moved on from this issue.
It’s ok.
The Christian lobby groups and churches will continue to preach their ideology to their converted congregations.
That matters not to me, one ounce.
A more inclusive ideology though, would serve you all much better.
Maybe something along the lines of “love one another, as I have loved you”, sounds much better.
Way to go JC (Jesus Christ).
