Is the “nanny state” of Australia babysitting homosexuality?

It boggles my mind in all directions to hear there are still people in today’s day and age who stand up against marriage equality, mainly those who use a government view point as their defence.

Growing up in a liberal household where I could be who I wanted to be and was taught to accept everybody no matter who they were, I’ve always thought that as time and society moved forward, so too would policies and laws to accommodate all the changes population goes through.

My life has been surrounded by people of all sexual preferences but it comes down to the question, “Why does it matter who you sleep with in the bedroom?”. Seriously, who’s business is it who you choose as a life partner and who you fall in love with? Why does it bother “you” (those against gay marriage) if you see two men holding hands on the street? I’m sure it doesn’t bother “you” (if you’re male) when two attractive women hold hands – and even then, in Asian culture, many women hold hands as a sign of friendship and family adoration – it’s got nothing to do with being homosexual.

I’ve actually discovered this hypocrisy amongst some male colleagues – so it’s alright to see two lesbians but not two gay men? It frustrates me, it really does.

A dear friend of mine, Joel, puts it so well in his quote  above – he pays taxes like everyone else, he votes likes everyone else, lives a normal life like everyone else by having a job, friends, family, responsibilities. Why is it so important he not be given the right to legally marry who he wants? Why does the government care who he is with and wants to commit the rest of his life to?

Australia is becoming a “nanny state” more than ever before, dictating to us what we eat, what we drink (did anyone watch Sunday Night yesterday about the sale of raw milk being illegal?) and so much more. It’s our bodies and our lives, we should be allowed to make our own decisions without ramifications.

For the government to continue refusing legalising gay marriage is a step backwards in time. If they don’t want to accept that the gay community has a voice and a right to the same rights as heterosexual people, why give them other rights? Strip them of the right to vote, take away their work benefits…confine them to a corner and let them cower as the minority.

I ask the Gillard Government one question.

In the seven states of the US where marriage has been legalised (Washington, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont) what bad has come of it?

Marriage is a declaration of love and the showing of commitment; it’s not a declaration of sexual preference.