David, no I have not. One of the good things is that I have a choice, no one tries to force it down my throat or impose it on me.

Australia has I understand it one major annual celebration for gays. Mostly my exposure to that event is a mention on the evening news and some posts on the forums by homophobes condemming the event.

I see some articles on this forum (and other parts of the media) seeking certain legal protections for people in gay relationships (the same legal protections covering heterosexuals) and some coverage of gay entertainers but mostly gays leave me alone and don't impose their choices on me.

That is a marked contrast to the activities of the churches with their constant and intrusive promotion of their views.

R0bert

VK3AUU: "You have obviously never been near Sydney's Gay Mardi Gras"

Er, why would you go to the Gay Mardi Gras and not expect to mix with gay people? That'd be a bit like going to Hillsong and complaining about the happyclappers.

Very well said indeed, R0bert :)

Once again a rant from Leigh,

"Bleating on about “religious conservatives” has become as boring as the proverbial bat manure. My own tolerance of religion is close enough to zero, but if there needs to be a toss up between homosexuals and religionists (often misguided, but usually sincere and decent) I’ll settle for the relative harmlessness of religion any day."

How many young children have been damaged for life by these, "(often misguided, but usually sincere and decent)" people, who you rank higher than homosexuals only because they agree with you on this subject, with no regard for their sexual leanings.

Leigh you, like so many men afraid of seeming even slightly gay, wear your Homophobia like a badge of honour, but methinks you do protest too much. But with so many other similar badges on your breast it must be hard to know what you really are. You certainly have another one labelled "Religionists", and one maybe for global warming believers, people over 75, and so on.

No I am not gay, but I do want a world where people like you and others can exist without the sort of diatribe that you, judging by this and other posts of yours, hold so dear.

Ulysses

"The rest of us are bored rigid with gay squealing" -- Leigh.

Leigh, if the supposed squealing "bores you rigid" then it is pertinent to
ask why you are so compelled to be
a)the first poster on this forum and
b)waiting to strike with a rebuttal to what you know to be a provocative
comment.

However, please do not propose to speak for "the rest of us". Unless, of
course, "us" refers to the inner demons with which you wrestle.

One can plainly see that your expressions of bigotry and hatred curiously
conflict with your clear fascination for "homosexual practices". My
understanding of most homophobes is that they doth protest too loudly.

The ‘squealing’ is certainly evident from pathetic types who can’t wait to say that Leigh must really be a homo himself because he protests too much. I’ve never heard that one before, of course! And, I continue to be amused by the little darlings who take pain to assure me that they are not homosexuals themselves – just decent, concerned citizens who have been specially anointed to defend anything that is well out in left field. Lacking the ability to initiate any discussion themselves, they lurk until a suitable victim comes along – usually an older, conservative person they deem out of touch with today’s ‘beautiful people’, and one not young enough to know all the answers like the young and beautiful do.

All of you, with your idiotic pseudonyms, are living in a fools’ paradise, encouraged by a passing phase of cynical, vote-grabbing politics and complacency among the majority which you misinterpret as acceptance of your deviant behaviour and aimless hedonism.

Pendulums do swing, however, and the rise of conservative Christianity and its growing influence on politics is just the beginning. You fear that. And so you should. It will be a mere irritation to old farts like me, but it will be your nemesis. I just hope I’m around long enough to enjoy the show. If the fundamentalist Christians don’t get you, the Muslims will

The percentage of homosexuals living in Australia is 2.04%. At the last census the number of people who conisdered themselves christian was 67%. It makes sense that the majority should have more sway on how the country is run.

That aside, consideration needs to be taken on how the lives of homosexual & lesbian people affect others. I am especially concerned about the effects of such relationships on children. At 2.04% you can't say that homosexual orientation is normal. If you ask the person on the street whether they would prefer their child to become a homosexual/lesbian or live in a heterosexual relationship you would find the majority preferred the latter. Despite this I don't think many Aussies are really aware of how detrimental the push for same-sex marriage is. In it's essence it undermines the commitment of a marriage relationship by saying any kind of relationship goes. Will polygamy be next? Children are raised best in a secure environment with one mother and one father. This is something which has been proved to be essential to the development of the child. See http://www.family.org/socialissues/A000001142.cfm

I am not saying we should shun homosexual/lesbian people just because we think they are wrong though. A person's attitude to sexual orientation is never an indication to disrespect the person themselves. However, there should always be a place for debate and people should be prepared make their views plain with logical argument without attacking the person presenting them. (We get enough of that in parliament!)