Marriage stand is gratuitous homophobia

The ALP has chosen populism over principle in supporting John Howard's move to exclude same-sex relationships from the legal definition of marriage.

This gratuitous homophobia cannot be justified as a stand on principle.

Instead, the ALP clings to the fig leaf that confining marriage to heterosexual couples reflects the common law.

Marriage will now be defined as "a union between a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others".

John Howard's white picket fence will surround marriage, "protecting" heterosexual Australians from the outrageous thought that same-sex partners might want the simple right to have their union recognised by law.

If it's merely a restatement of the common law, why does the Act need to be amended at all?

The reason is to let the Government flag its deep social conservatism to the electorate by engaging in a bit of gay bashing.

It is small surprise that the ALP has decided to follow suit, playing to the same conservative audience: small surprise, but disappointing nevertheless

The ALP's Nicola Roxon assures us that same-sex couples can still have de-facto relationships.

Well, gee, thanks Nicola. That's really generous of you.

The fact that same-sex couples married overseas will be, by force of law, now defined as "unmarried" in Australia doesn't seem to bother Roxon and the ALP.

Australia should not be built on the phobias and prejudices of the past, but on a genuinely inclusive and diverse culture moving confidently towards the future.

Klaas Woldring, Pearl Beach