In my capacity as co-convenor of Rainbow Labor Tasmania and co-chairperson of the Coming Out Proud Program (COPP), I come up against many people wishing to oppose LGBTI issues and rights.
Just two weeks ago, I sat in on the Senate inquiry in Victoria into Senator Hanson鈥揧oung鈥檚 bill to change the 1961 Marriage Act to allow for marriage equality.
I sat opposite Senator Eric Abetz as he passionately explained why he opposes these changes. While our rebuttal was colourful to say the least, I still respected that this nation allows us all the right to be heard.
I then sat opposite former senator Guy Barnett who delivered a tirade of anti-gay sentiment, saying this nation shouldn鈥檛, wouldn鈥檛 and couldn鈥檛 include the rights of same-sex couples to marry. The venom in his delivery was well noted.
But what came next was even more disturbing. Introduced as one of Australia鈥檚 鈥榣iving treasures鈥�, retired tennis champion Margaret Court stood to speak to a crowd, wanting permission not only to oppose gay marriage but to affirm it was OK to treat LGBTI people with disdain.
Court initially came across as a gentle, loving grandmother 鈥� she could easily draw you into her sermon until you listened carefully to its content. My colleagues and I were astonished at her warnings as to what may happen to this nation if gay marriage became legal.
We listened as she quoted flawed statistics into the relationship between pedophilia, molestation and child abuse within the gay community.
鈥淏eware of any one of them mentioning to your children at a time of confusion that they may be gay as that may be all they need to push them into that sinful lifestyle,鈥� she said.
She spoke of the success her evangelical church had in 鈥榩raying the gay away鈥�. I have tried that and found myself living a lie.
I was convinced as a young gay woman that it was a phase and that if I entered heterosexual relationships it would subside. All that led to was life-threatening self-loathing and heartbreak for my male then-partner.
I now live with integrity, authenticity and an abundance of happiness.
Margaret Court would have us think this means nothing if you are not heterosexual. Margaret, tell my daughter and foster son that our happiness means nothing.
The Bible Court preached from states that we should beware of false prophets. I believe we witnessed one in her.
Margaret, you will never convince decent caring members of society 鈥� gay or otherwise 鈥� that it is OK to inspire hatred in others using the word of the Lord as your defence.
As Court closed her eyes, raised her hands and began to pray, she asked God to protect Tasmania from my fellow LGBTI community. Next to me, a heterosexual couple stood up, hand in hand, and offered us their support.
鈥淕uys, keep up the fight, good luck dealing with homophobia here,鈥� they said.
鈥淎nd by the way 鈥� we will marry when you can.鈥�
By SOPHIA ALEX-BAILEY
INFO: Sophia Alex-Bailey is Coming Out Proud Program (COPP) community liaison committee co-chairperson and Rainbow Labor Tasmania co-convenor.
