I think 'concerned citizen' missed my point. Homosexuals are a tiny minority, and homosexuality is just a lifestyle. Any attempt to cater to their cause is largely symbolic.

There are disadvantaged groups that need equal rights more urgently. Such as discrimination against the elderly in the workplace, discrimination against pregnant women in the workplace and not to mention discrimination against the disabled. Which reminds me of a case where a wheelchair bound gay man refused entry into a gay nightclub here in Melbourne, because he did'nt suit their image! Hypocrites.

There is more to life than sex, and real DISCRIMINATION to attend to.

Homosexuality is not a "lifestyle". It is a life with style. It is also a life fraught with danger - even in Australia in 2005. As a former telephone counsellor with the Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service and a gay community activist I know exactly what I'm talking about. And if Davo's is interested (probably not) he can access the Anti-Violence Project of NSW (www.avp.acon.org.au) and see reports and statistics on how gays are vilified, harassed and even murdered - purely on the basis of their sexual orientation. There are relevant links to the Attorney General's website (ie: we're not making it up).

Anti-gay discrimination is real. It is the height of ignorance and arrogance to suggest otherwise. Is being killed for being gay discrimination enough for you, Davo? I can't think of a worse form quite frankly. If you can then let me know.

Btw, if we're only a "tiny minority" stop worrying about us and stop worrying about the possibility of same-sex marriage. A "tiny minority" won't alter your heterosexual "lifestyle" one jot.

davo: Let me put this spin on one of your statements to illustrate its fatuousness: "heterosexuality is just a lifestyle. Any attempt to cater to their cause is largely symbolic."

So having a say in your partner's welfare, hospitalisation, superannuation or funeral arrangements is largely symbolic? Receiving a pension when your partner of 37 years who has died after serving their country in the armed forces is largely symbolic? Being a beneficiary of your partner's will as he/she has specifically requested is only symbolic? Being able to co-parent your partner's children is only symbolic? You might want to speak to my uncle who has been with his same-sex partner for 20 years and is still legally denied significant aspects of his relationship, to tell him that any legislative reform to redress this would only be symbolic.
I really wish some people would put their brains into gear before they take their typing to the road...

Unfortunately, it seems that the brains of most of those who are responsible for the numerous homophobic, racist, misogynist or other forms of bigoted contributions to these comments forums, ARE 'in gear'. The trouble is that gear is "reverse", i.e. they advocate winding back the clock to the good old days when it was OK to bash gays, call Aborigines "niggers", perform abortions in back alleys etc.

Try engaging your brains in a forward gear, bigots.

Morgan

What the hell are you guys talking about?

My brain is in gear. For instance, Phillip Ruddock's letter of endorsement of the Mardi Gras is definitely symbolic. I agree with Brian Greig's argument that Ruddock's support for the Mardi Gras is a farce.

Unfortunately, most people's support for Gay equality is a farce. Political posturing at its finest. So you miss out on some financial benefits, big deal. Everyone can do with extra cash. but with two incomes and no children (together), you are understandably overlooked for extra financial benefits.

Finally, many homosexuals are bigoted. Towards christianity in particular, as shown in some of these posts. Goes to show we are all bigots, just expressed in different ways, hey Morgan?