Push for same-sex unions

The Bunbury gay and lesbian community is sending the message it is timeto amend the Marriage Act to allow same-sex couples to legally tie the knot however Forrest MHR Nola Marino believes the majority of the electorate would not support the change.

‘‘I support the current definition of marriage and opinions expressed tome locally support that definition,’’ Mrs Marino said.

The Liberal MP said she agreed with the Coalition’s policy and the existing Marriage Act should remain the same.

The Labor Party declared its support for same-sex marriage on the weekend, dramatically changing the party platform just a few days after the Queensland Parliament supported same-sex civil unions.

Bunbury woman Tenille Satie, who runs the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Bunbury Facebook group, said she believed the community supported the ‘‘much-needed change’’.

‘‘The tide is turning, people are moving on and the shock factor which once existed is gone,’’ Ms Satie said.

‘‘The negative backlash from the debate about bringing the pride parade to Bunbury has gone.’’

Ms Satie said denying couples the right to marry sent the message they were unworthy and undeserving of the same rights as the rest of the community.

‘‘Love is love — what constraints can you put on that?’’ she said.

‘‘Why does it have to fit a particular mould?’’

Ms Satie said she hoped Mrs Marino would vote to support the gay and lesbian community if she was given the opportunity in a conscience vote.

Same-sex marriage is not supported by the whole of the Bunbury community, with some maintaining marriage is a sacred institution which should be between a man and a woman.

Pastor Steve O’Donoghue from Gateway Church Bunbury said samesex marriage was not natural.

‘‘As a Christian I believe God created us as man and woman and samesex couples would step out of the natural order to be married and have children together,’’ he said.

Pastor Rhett Topliss from Grace Christian Church said the existing Marriage Act took into consideration what was best for children.

‘‘What is best for children is amother and father to allow them to grow to be complete people,’’ he said.