It's always nice to be reminded that there are gay psychos in other countries too. Australia might be a tad more progressive than the United States on gay rights, but not by much. The Aussies legalized sodomy in 1994, almost a decade before we did, but long after most European nations. They have basic domestic partnerships in most of their provinces. Their previous Prime Minister, John Howard, was Bush-esque in his approach to gay rights, openly opposing gay unions and even gay adoption.
Now they have a new Prime Minister, their first female PM, and Julia Gillard is also not in favor of gay marriage. But more shocking than that, she has convinced Penny Wong, a lesbian senator, to oppose gay marriage as well.
Why, in God's name, would a lesbian oppose gay marriage? Sure, I've met one or two gay guys who oppose gay marriage. Maybe she's angling to be the first lesbian PM in the world, although that seems unlikely given Australia's relatively conservative views.
Australia, if it makes you feel any better, we've got a lot of crazies in America, too. Although, to be fair, most of our crazies happily choose to stay in the closet. They remain comfortably sheltered from the hatred and oppression throughout their entire careers, while partaking in backroom, bathroom tristes that continue to give the gay community a bad name.
Instead of focusing on the blindly career-driven Wong (who will undoubtedly spend the rest of her career qualifying her gay marriage statement), thank the Tammy Baldwin's and Jared Polis's of the world for being elected as openly gay politicians and then supporting equality. Tammy Baldwin might not be the first female President of the United States, but she has a lot more integrity than Wong ever will.
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Wednesday 28 July
By Daniel
This article is fundamentally incorrect. I live in Australia and am a firm supporter of Penny Wong.
Whilst in Parliament Penny Wong has been absolutely instrumental in the erratication of discimination in over 80 laws against the GBLT community. she has 'behind the scenes' made a massive shift in the way our political parties face this growing public issue.
Senator Wong understands politics obviously far better than we ever will. She understands if she is to continue her good work then she would need to do this inside her political party. To come out against her party would diminish the influencing power she is capable of and has demonstrated so many times in the past.
I respect that she affirms her parties position on this issues and that in time just as she has shown us in the past she will continue to work against the bigotry of the labor government.
Shame on the GBLT for attacking her the way we have. It is truely disgraceful and unnecessarily vicious.
Please check your facts on this before ripping this amazing, although covert, GBLT activist in one our most influencial public roles.
And yes I'm homosexual.
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Tuesday 17 August
By Rebecca
I totally agree. The way the GBLT community has been reacting to her is completely out of line. Things take time and this is one of them. Its a perfect example of being given an inch and taking a mile!
I am proud of the work Penny Wong has done and it is humilating to see people critise her. It gives the GBLT community a bad reputation. We cannot even show appreciation for the great changes that have already taken place.
Thursday 29 July
By L
I agree with Daniel. Being the only Federal minister who is openly gay, Penny Wong has to engage in Realpolitik to achieve changes in an area that is still quite divisive in Australia.
http://thinkinganatomist.blogspot.com/2010/07/where-is-perspective-on-penny-wong.html
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Thursday 29 July
By TJ
The state of South Australia legalised sodomy in 1975. Other states followed, some decades later. Labor party blows in ALL the WrONG ways. Australian Sex Party and Greens are the only ones who care about freedom.
'toodles
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