@Cornflower

"I guess that in the sort of totalitarian State imagined by the Left and the Greens"

Thats typical, blame the left and the greens while totally ignoring what the consertive governments did while in power.

C J MJorgan, "Given that everybody else in Australia is legally entitled to marry their partner if they so desire"

That is not true at all now is it, otherwise Muslims would be able to have as many wives as they want (but you would deny them that equality).

Similarly marriage involving minors is not OK. Although your multiculturalism would excuse it where there are 'cultural' reasons, for example, Aboriginal child marriage (but not under the Marriage Act).

jason84,

Do you also see any of the above examples as 'discrimination'?

woulfe,

The Marriage Act is fine as it is and that was confirmed very recently in the Australian Senate. Can't get any more democratic than that.

However, if the Greens were true to their word they would put Gay Marriage up as the Number One plank in their platform for the forthcoming election. That they have consistently refused to do that in past elections says a lot about their politics and opportunism.

Good question, Severin, but I doubt that you will receive an answer.

CJ is right of course.
Both Cornflower and Phanto are avoiding the question and are still tap dancing around the real issue: Discrimination.

Cornflower,
"Portugal has retained its previous laws regarding adoption and that is reason enough to oppose any change in Australia, right?"

At least you are finally addressing part of the real issue here.
I agree that it is ridiculous that Portugal fobbed off same-sex couples with pseudo-marriage and STILL discriminate, but this doesn't mean that Australia needs to be as backward as Portugal. There is no reason why Australia should differentiate between heterosexual marriage and same-sex marriage.

Other points made by Phanto, CF et al, such as:

A general dislike of marriage,
Islam,
The Greens,
the left,
Centrelink,
State interference,
Taxpayers' money
etc

are no reasons why same-sex people should not be able to get married.

I see that phanto's shifted his/her argument to suggesting that nobody should be allowed to marry. Neat - no discrimination there!

Still avoiding the question, I see Cornflower. It's a pretty simple question, so why don't you have the courage of your convictions and just answer it?

Mind you, you never did last time we went down this path:

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=3191#75679

I find it quite fascinating the extent to which the homophobes here will go to avoid being honest. woulfe's right - we've been here many times before.

However, just because it amuses me to watch them wriggle -

Why shouldn't those gay couples who want to marry be allowed to in Australia?

Don't change the subject, shift the goalposts or otherwise dissemble - just answer the question. No need to be "PC" - just say what you really think. It can't be that hard, surely.

Why should those gay couples who want to marry be allowed to in Australia? Don't say because it is discrimination otherwise because that is not an answer to the question. Don't avoid the question and don't resort to calling people homophobes just because they disagree with you.

Not usually hangin' around OLO on a Saturday night. I must be bored.

As others have pointed out Phanto and Cornflower have dragged in everything from Totalitarianism to Centrelink benefits and then persisting with utter nonsense such as requesting definitions of "partner".

All followed by don't call us homophobes, just look at how many red herrings we can toss.

All a bit Pythonesque, luvvies.

Two adults of the same sex marrying is not a problem. We are not arguing about children, multi-partners or even marital rights for cats and dogs. Just two adults of the same sex.

Phanto and Cornflower you are a couple of bigots, homophobes, zealots, phonies, hypocrites. I am well within my rights to call you these names because each of your posts on this thread have demonstrated that you believe in discriminating against gays and lesbians, because you have an irrational fear of two people of the same sex bonking like bunnies.