Gay Rights: Australian Opinion Piece

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/politics-turns-gays-into-black-sheep-of-australias-family-20120409-1wl39.html

This opinion article from the Sydney Morning Herald bemoans the Australian political system for de-humanizing gays. The article berates center-right politician Tony Abbott for calling his sister "courageous" in reference to her coming out as a lesbian. Author Steve Dow expresses his belief that such rhetoric is merely a cover-up for Abbott's true anti-gay agenda. He writes that Abbott, like many other Australian politicians, is courting the church and using its agenda to fuel policies that prevent gay marriage. Dow then contrasts this with European countries in which gay marriage is more accepted. Dow concludes that Europe's general tolerance of gay marriage stems from a public understanding and adherence to the separation of church and state. This factor's perceived absence in Australia is, according to Dow, the root cause of the anti-gay political climate.

I agree that the primary roadblock for gay marriage in most developed countries is not the church itself, but the public's unwillingness to keep it out of the government. Religious institutions, even in the European countries where gay marriage is perfectly legal, are firmly opposed to gay rights. The Catholic Church holds the same agenda in France as it does in America and Australia. The difference is that in France, public figures do not let that agenda seep into the legal system.

This is interesting because Australia is known for combining elements of both Europe and America into its culture. The laws over there are very strict. Actually, they are a combination of policies that I despise. I am very critical of gun control, and guns are completely banned over there. I am strongly opposed to government censorship of any media. They are well-known for censoring movies, video games, and even websites. And I support gay marriage. Why does their opposition have to be one of the things they have in common with America?