Comments on: The truth about Australia’s marriage equality campaign

By: Michael Smith

Michael Smith — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 06:49:55 +0000

Oh the irony of the most decorated of all campaigners and the most white too complaining they haven’t received enough recognition. More bizarre as someone else wrote above because they’ve written their own books.

Furness wasn’t involved in these groups so far as his bio says which begs the question how would he know what went on. Unless he’s just a mouthpiece for the names at the top of his article. The hostility of our own community against its own never shames to appall me. Sad piece when we could have celebrated what we achieved against all odds.

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 22:14:34 +0000

This is a great article abc it’s very brave of the Star Observer to publish it as Gay Inc. will be furious. It’s shameful the way people like Shelley Argent and Rodney Croome were airbrushed our at the end, after working for decades for marriage equality.

By: ben

ben — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 03:07:41 +0000

We have marriage equality, but Peter Furness wishes we had waited for better marriage equality laws.

History has proven Furness wrong.

The Libs will be in power till at least 2022, led by a man who refused to vote in parliament on marriage equality.

(and if historical accuracy is important, Furness should declare his varying political affiliations with the Australian Democrats/Australian Labor Party/Science Party, not just that he is a former deputy mayor of South Sydney)

By: Brendon Beavan

Brendon Beavan — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 17:48:27 +0000

Sorry but this seems very egotistical – all of Australia played their part – from the volunteers who door knocked to the mum and dad who did nothing but speak to family and friends and vote for the rights of their GLBTI child – nothing has been ‘whitewashed’ can’t you just read the books they ‘the ones that have been whitewashed’ all released?

By: Kate Judson

Kate Judson — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 02:19:46 +0000

Thanks for clearing some of the BS glitter from the yes-vote air.

Especially since that saga was just a warm-up for the next one.

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 08:54:03 +0000

Great article on the expected whitewashing of the efforts of so many activists but also you left out an important name in this subterfuge: Corey Irlam

By: Doug

Doug — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 04:25:56 +0000

In reply to Ryan. Don’t forget her aide de camp, Corey Irlam

By: Gay Libertarian Paul Mitchell

Gay Libertarian Paul Mitchell — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 22:11:21 +0000

Adults should not need “permission from the government” to get married. Seriously and honestly!

By: Ryan

Ryan — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 09:38:51 +0000

Let’s not forget the role of Anna Brown from Equality Campaign in helping create and promote the anti/LGBTI amendments to the the final SSM Bill that was passed. These amendments to the “Smith Bill” were not only unnecessary they were opposed by the LGBTI community which said they’d rather have no Bill than that Bill. But Anna praised the (completely unnecessary) compromise, which gave Australia the worst Marriage Equality legislation in the world and then opened the doors to the current push for “religious freedom” from the far right. All of the current excitement from religious conservatives about rolling back LGBTI rights comes directly from Anna negotiating the “religious exemptions” in 2017, and which Alex Greenwich and Tiernan Brady agreed to, without ever consulting our community. The irony that Anna Brown is now a self-appointed CEO and spokesperson for Equality Australia, seemingly with the task of opposing her legacy, is not lost on many of us.

By: Doug

Doug — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 03:51:23 +0000

A long overdue corrective to the smug, self-satisfied, entitled “Sydney Gay Elite” narrative we’ve heard for so long.
Don’t forget Alex Greenwich abandoned the marriage equality campaign to further his personal political ambitions, and didn’t reappear until much much later in the game.