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We do: Bass Coast commits

19/5/2017

14 Comments

 
BASS Coast councillors have added their voice to the call for marriage equality.
At Wednesday’s council meeting seven of the eight councillors present voted to support a motion proposed by Cr Geoff Ellis that the council should publicly support marriage equality irrespective of gender identity.
 
Cr Ellis said that while the Marriage Act was a federal matter, the council could add weight to the movement for equality. "’Marriage equality’ has become shorthand for acceptance,” he said. “That's important for kids, especially in rural areas like Bass Coast. They need to know that ordinary people, with some prominence in the community, believe LGBTI lives have equal worth.”

Bass Coast’s stance echoes recent moves by other Victorian councils, including Cardinia, Surf Coast, Yarra and Darebin councils, to support marriage equality.
Cr Brett Tessari, who seconded the motion, said society needed to be more accepting of difference.

Cr Michael Whelan said the Marriage Act imposed a morality from another age on people in this era. “We need to get out of the way and let people live their lives.”

Cr Bruce Kent said the word marriage was an issue for some people. “But if we agree that people should have equality, that means employment, marriage and so on.”

The sole dissenter, Cr Julian Brown, said that if the federal government held a referendum with the same wording, he would probably support it. However, he felt the local community should be consulted first.

Cr Ellis said it was fitting that Bass Coast had shown its support for equality on the International Day against Homophobia.

“May 17 marks the date that homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization in 1990. The fact that we can sit here and discuss this matter is a measure of how far we've travelled!”

The council will inform federal MPs and the Commonwealth Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission of its support for marriage equality.

The council’s move has already attracted considerable media interest with reports on ABC Gippsland and Channel 9.

Congratulations to us: While she has no personal interest in being married, Sally Conning applauds the council's support for marriage equality.
14 Comments
Ruth Partridge
20/5/2017 12:33:27 pm

There are a great many rate payers of profound faith who will disagree with the Council's public display of political correctness. There are a great many rate payers of no faith at all who will agree with them.

This is not Council business! You do not have a mandate to make such a decision.

Reply
Rob Easton
21/5/2017 06:12:52 pm

Ruth, they have EVERY such mandate. Elected representatives are there for the purpose of ensuring the community (not just white, straight, AngloSaxons) are represented. Ruth, a mandate is not only what legislative capabilities they have as elected representatives, it's a mandate for their MORAL duty and ETHICAL code to ensure the broader Bass Coast Community is represented. And that, they have done! Well done, Bass Coast Councillors. May we continue to be represented in legislation AND ethos/morality for many years to come! You have provided a beacon of guidance to this community, And Councillors, and you should be commended for it!

Reply
Ruth Partridge
23/5/2017 04:20:42 pm

This is a response to Rob's comments on my initial comment on this article plus a few bits.

Rob, a mandate is a command or authorization to act in a particular way on a pubic issue given by the electorate to its representative.

I do not remember any of the council nominees stating marriage equality as one of their platforms or agenda items. They therefore do not have a mandate. We, the ratepayers, did not vote for them because they supported same sex marriage.

Do not confuse this issue. I am talking about the appropriateness of the Council getting into this issue.

It is absolutely appropriate that the Bass Coast Shire should treat all of its employees and ratepayers equally and with respect regardless of their sexual orientation. I would be appalled if they did not. That is not the point.

The Council's role is not to identify or promote a moral, ethical or religious point of view, although we do expect them to behave morally and ethically.

Jews, Muslims, Christians and many others in this community will be offended by this unsolicited and totally unnecessary venture into "political correct advocacy".

The Council has a great deal to do in the areas that are the responsibility of the Shire before they have the luxury of time to philosophize about the rights of men to marry men or women, women.

I have quite a few homosexual and lesbian friends whom I love dearly. Loved one of them having a commitment ceremony. Happy for them to have a civil marriage.

Just do not try to make the people with a religious commitment and strong belief comply with the state's acceptance of a new law.

For those whose religion forbids homosexuality the right to refuse to marry must be preserved.


May Gardner
20/5/2017 04:53:45 pm

Did the council as me for my views..NO So why should we accept their views.....NO.
Does the council get things right NO.....
So ask for the ratepayers opinion before you think you know what we want....Get our views...or is that to hard to do

Reply
Rob Easton
21/5/2017 06:14:26 pm

Not at all hard, but MAJORITY of our community, across the nation, support EQUALITY and FAIRNESS before the law; just as majority of our community, across the shire, feel the same. Bigotry and small-mindedness will get you, me, and us absolutely nowhere. Wake up and smell the 2017 Roses. They are full of colour and full of diversity. You might enjoy it!

Reply
Mohan de Run
21/5/2017 06:48:58 pm

The views of the silent majority will always prevail at the right time and place no matter the attempt of the loud few who wish to push for dangerous social engineering for the limp reasons that it is contemporary thinking or unreliable belief that it makes a difference. That vast majority know different and will properly consider the unintended consequences of going against nature.

Meryl Brown Tobin
21/5/2017 06:57:11 pm

A Gay and Happy Future
In love, the two plan
a long life together
But marriage plans rest
with a prime minister, his
party and maybe a plebiscite
the result of which colleagues
might or might not
respect.

Reply
Rob Easton
21/5/2017 09:09:50 pm

All the more reason to put some weight behind the argument Meryl. Hopefully The Prime Minister and his party, and all those cross-benchers and opposition members may just listen and think with their hearts... for once! Well done to our local Council for thinking outside of party politics and agendas, and supporting our community (no matter their sexual preferences, religion or backgrounds) !

Reply
Rob Easton
21/5/2017 07:08:10 pm

Mohan de Run, going against nature? I have a few studies I can reference that might prove otherwise... Nature, life and biology in general is fluid and ever evolving. As is sexuality. Only the inability to acknowledge it remains a stagnant and flaccid part of our ever-present (and in my opinion) long out-of-date religious heritage that dictates a status-quo no longer relevant or correct. I hate to tell you, but it's now high time and long overdue that we respect, embrace and support each other, rather than discount the rights of your fellow citizens. Perhaps get out more, meet a few of your LGBTIQ friends and neighbours, realise that they are not in fact an abomination, but just that same as you. They pay the same taxes, respect the same laws ... and deserve the same rights before the law that you hold so dear. Let's hope you don't have a child, brother, sister, niece, nephew, friend who happens to 'go against nature' -- I hate to think the reception you'll provide them when they need someone to explain why their community thinks them only an 'unreliable belief' !! Our councillors have acknowledged that their community is just as broad as the rest of our great Nation and have shown just how committed they are to ensuring cohesion and acceptance. Feel free to join the cause.

Reply
Jordan Crugnale
22/5/2017 05:55:26 pm

Back in October 2014, Bass Coast Shire Council proclaimed its support for marriage equality by agreeing with the request from Byron Shire Council to develop, adopt and endorse a proclamation which was then compiled and presented to the Prime Minister by the aforementioned Council.
As formally outlined in a dot point proclamation and agglutinated here – “we believe our elected leaders have a responsibility to protect the rights of all citizens, the current law needs to change and that is it about human rights and respect, celebrating diversity and inclusion”.
Strategic justification was easy – as part of the healthy communities objective, the aim was to foster wellness in a supportive, inclusive, healthy and active community. The debate was insightful, personal, respectful and the motion was carried six to one, translating to 85 per cent.
The current council’s vote of seven for, one absent and one abstaining, the percentage three years on, is open to interpretation. With the plethora of national polls in the public realm ranging from 64-70 per cent support for marriage equality, with the standout being our inclusively minded and socially responsible young people (18-24) at 81%, it seems support is increasing with time, as you would expect, our elected representatives are quite representative of the community they serve and a change to the Act is hopefully imminent.
Jordan Crugnale, Bass Coast Shire councillor 2012-16

Reply
Cr Geoff Ellis
23/5/2017 05:55:02 pm

As a great person once wrote (in a local paper)

Roma non è stata costruita in un giorno

Hear Hear

Reply
Phil
30/9/2017 07:21:55 pm

I am with you Ruth the role of council is roads and garbage not demands by 2-6% of the population. Rates keep rising because of council involvement in matters that are really not a councils concern, but they know what is best for you.

Reply
Rich link
31/12/2020 04:59:03 pm

Hello mate great blog posst

Reply
Geoff Ellis
31/12/2020 06:18:07 pm

Hi Rich,
Thanks for reminding about this article and the homophobic commentary from some. LOL.

Reply



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