I think that there are some important things from our past that need to continue to be part of our present and part of our future. If I was in a different walk of life, if I’d continued in the law and was partner of a law firm now, I would express the same view, that I think for our culture, for our heritage, the Marriage Act and marriage being between a man and a woman has a special status. Now, I know people might look at me and think that’s something that they wouldn’t necessarily expect me to say, but that is what I believe. I’m on the record as saying things like I think it’s important for people to understand their Bible stories, not because I’m an advocate of religion – clearly, I’m not – but once again, what comes from the Bible has formed such an important part of our culture.
—Julia Gillard, the Australia prime minister, only sort of relies on faith to explain her support for marriage discrimination [via]
Mike in Asheville
Marriage equality will be her downfall.
Giselle
Now if good ole Gillard actually understood her bible stories then she would understand that the bible clearly states marriage should be between a man and a woman or -several- women! Quoting the bible as a basis for what marriage should look like is really dangerous. Because biblical marriages are guaranteed to not be what Julia has in mind.
Bigot. And cherrypicker.
There’s even a whole chapter in there of how we actually should not be getting married at all… Stuff that in a pipe and smoke it!
Jim Hlavac
@Giselle: And there’s quite a bit about women not being on the hustings, giving opinions, speaking on public policy or, really, being outside the home other than as a silent meek adjunct obeying her husband.
From the looks of it, I bet she disagrees with that part of the Good Book.
kernelt
That’s pretty much discriminate against my religion (* Buddhism), because clearly my religion have no hate toward gay and are openly accept it, not allowing the gay/bi to have the freedom they deserve is basically saying that Buddhist view is nonexistence only christian is.
Don’t try to put the bible as if it’s some fuckin’ law of the universe. Not to mention Australia gov is not base on religion institution nor is the US.
Barbara
What a cunt!
ChiGuy76
This just goes to show that just because someone does not believe in God does not mean they automatically support LGBT rights.
Harold
Gillard is an atheist and has publicly stated that she does not believe in God. She is also unmarried choosing to live unmarried with her (male) partner. So it isn’t her religious views that she talking about here. In fact she states in the quote above that if she was a private citizen, she’d be in favor of marriage equality. (More than Obama or Hillary have ever said.) She is taking the position she does because she is Prime Minster and feels obligated to preserve the culture.
I don’t think she is right nor is it politically smart (marriage equality polls a lot better in Oz than in the US) but she is not expressing religious fanaticism.
Harold
@Harold: She’s being foolish to put something so worthless on a pedestal, especially when she as an atheist should know better.
The sane Francis
First of all, she’s the prime minister of Australia trying to justify why she is AGAINST equality of all citizens. That is inhumane. Secondly, she is an atheist. So for her to use a set of beliefs she doesn’t adhere to SOLELY to justify an anti-gay argument is completely ridiculous and bigoted. Thirdly, she’s only saying these things because of the party she leads, which makes her spineless. She should be ashamed. The Bible isn’t the constitution of America and guess what, us gays are a part of the same culture she and others are trying so hard to defend, we are legal citizens, and we require equality.
The sane Francis
Her comments are even more insulting if you look closer into them. Her “one man one woman marriage is special”. So, basically, in her eyes, same-sex love is……..not special? Our marriages and lives aren’t special? It’s culturally important to “protect” heterosexual marriage, so same-sex couples marrying damages heterosexual marriage? It’s this attitude that we’re less than and we somehow will devalue and corrupt marriage and society if we are given equality or affirmed for our sexuality that is the most offensive. Especially given that a majority in Australia have supported marriage equality in the country consistently. We cannot allow people like this to basically say heterosexuality is the only way. We cannot allow these people to say we are wrong in being gay.
David
What a repulsive opinion she expresses.
Joseph
She is the world’s worst atheist and a dope. He need to only look 100 years ago when people didn’t marry for love and women had no power.
Ted C.
Basically, she’s a woman who doesn’t believe in marriage, telling us that we shouldn’t want to be married either.
Syl
Funny, I thought the Bible also said that women shouldn’t have authority over men…I’m not a Bible-reader myself, but I recall an Evangelical classmate of mine telling me as much, saying that he wouldn’t even vote for a female candidate who shared all his other beliefs (I wonder if he’s since changed his position to accommodate Sarah Palin).
Josh
Australia is so fuking doomed.
jason
Australia’s gays went to the dogs ages ago. They stopped being activist. Most Australian gays are more interested in taking drugs on a Saturday night at the dance party.
The sad thing is that many Australian gays support the very party that discriminates against them – ie the Labor Party. Many of the gay publications in Australia are run by pro-Labor Party hacks.
Spooky
I feel sick.
Mark
@jason: I take offense to that remark Jason. I’m Aussie and activist and none of my friends take drugs at a dance party – heck we rarely even go to a dance party. Generalisations are not good to make on anyone.
And aren’t you yanks pretty much doing the same thing in the States? Supporting the Democrats who pretty much hate on them as well? Kettle, pot calling.
Soupy
I want to eat Jason’s crap!
KevinVancouver
her male partner is a hair stylist… for reals ..
Darling Nikki
So let’s get this straight…slavery is okay, polygamous marriage and concubines are okay, sacrificing children is ok? Hmm, strange cherry picking sweetie.
Eliza
I’m surprised at her rather not well thought out reasoning and position on this. There are many things that have been at times cultural practices informed by religious tradition that we don’t embrace today. Regardless, why would some one who should support religion not being legislated on everyone in society agree that one religion should set the definition for who can get married. Marriage has never been a strictly Christian or even religious institution.