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SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: For and against Part 2

Greens MP Lyn MacLaren’s same-sex marriage Bill will go before State Parliament for debate in October. Here, in the second of a five-part online series, Lisa Thomas presents arguments for and against.

For: 18 years a couple

Raina Savage and her partner Anthea Da Silva have spent the past 18 years together.

They’ve been through all the same experiences, like every other couple — but they don’t have the right to get married.

Ms Savage said marriage was something that had grown in importance over time.

“It was never something that was important to me, but as time goes on it has become very important to me, ” she said.

“I feel very committed to my partner and I could never see us breaking up.

“We’ve been together 18 years and we don’t have the option of being recognised as a married couple.”

She said although the majority of people were accepting, there were still people who would never accept same-sex marriage.

“I think it’s very much a prejudice thing and gay people being second-class citizens, ” she said.

“It’s like they are saying our relationships aren’t serious and we aren’t allowed to have the same aspirations.

“What is wrong with our commitment?”

She said she hoped to one day have the option to marry.

“I would be happy to get married to the person I love, ” she said. “It’s hurtful that we can’t take that step, when just like any, our relationship is filled with love and respect.”

Ms Savage said she was embarrassed Australia was lagging behind the rest of the world.

“Ninety-two per cent of young people support same-sex marriage, ” she said.

“And yet, no one has come up with a valid reason why it shouldn’t be legalised.

“Geraldton has a significant population of gay and lesbian people who are all great people and contribute greatly to the community.”

Ms Savage said she was currently studying to become a marriage celebrant so she could be involved with helping other people get married.

“I’m looking forward to being able to marry my first gay and lesbian couple, when it’s legalised, ” she said.

“It may take another few years, but it will happen.”


Against: Still friends

Gavin Hirschhausen respects the right for people to be true to who they are.

He accepts not everyone is the same.

Mr Hirschhausen said despite having a number of gay friends, he did not support same-sex marriage.

“There are people who I know and care about who also happen to be gay, ” he said

“Sadly, there are some who choose not to associate with me once they realise I’m a Christian.

“I choose not to support same-sex marriage simply because marriage by definition is covenant between a man and woman.”

Mr Hirschhausen said his beliefs on same-sex marriage were a non-issue with his gay and lesbian friends.

“I choose to accept them as people first, just like me, rather than what they choose to believe or not believe, ” he said.

“We can simply agree to disagree on any issue.

He said he sympathised with same-sex couples who felt hurt by current Australian laws.

“I can understand how they feel, I would be upset too if I came from the same world view, ” he said

“However, I didn’t write the Bible, but I choose to see the world through its lens and that lens is really clear on God’s plan for true human fulfilment and happiness.”

He also affirmed the value of a traditional Christian view in the wider public debate.

“Farmers have a saying that: ‘You don’t tear down a fence unless you know what it is there for’, ” he said.

“The Christian faith has shaped significantly the fabric and structures of Western civilisation for 2000 years, built on the dictum of Christ that human selfishness destroys while service to others builds.”