"[Gays] have no concept of the hardship and sacrifice of many ordinary heterosexual families endure every day" according to Arjay.

Well, how ignorant. As if gays don't sacrifice to bring up their children or do community work or remain in the closet for the sake of their parents and other loved ones. Gays know more about sacrifice than well-heeled parliamentary seat-warmers like Fred Nile.

As for Franca Arena being silenced - what bollocks! That coward was too scared to utter her slanders outside the Parliament where she didn't have parliamentary privilege and she was too lazy and cowardly to take her concerns to the police. Actually people like Arena make harder to combat child abuse because they "cry wolf" and make absurd allegations.

As for hidden agendas, that is more rubbish. Gay lobby groups are quite open about their agendas which include same-sex marriage. If anyone needs more information look up the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby's website www.glrl.org.au or Australian Marriage Equality www.ame.org - it's all there for public viewing.

Stickman, it bothers me when someone is completely incapable of making cogent posts which relate to the topic.

Now Arjay is waffling on about paedophiles - he is attempting to create links between issues where there are none. Mentioning public health on a thread about gay marriage and now he has brought in the topic of paedophilia; abuse of children has nothing whatsoever with being gay.

People who wish to claim the same rights as straight couples with regard to superannuation, illness et cetera, have every right to do so in a true democracy.

Arjay's intent is to create hatred for people by linking them to irrelevant issues. The same tactics are used to discredit other minorities. While the more astute of us can see through these puerile efforts, it is still offensive to have to wade through. I generally ignore these diatribes, however, it is worthwhile to point out to the hatemongers that they aren't fooling anyone.

All people have the right to declare long term commitments to each other if they wish - surely solid relationships are the foundation for our society rather than the end of it.

Arjay said: "I think that the hate and venom by many displayed by many gays on this forum says it all.Just a few well chosen words and they launch into a rabid orgy of personal attacks and hate.You only hate what you fear and cannot control.Your words speak volumes about your insecurity."

Pot. Kettle. Black.

Actually, I think you were spoiling for a fight and you're a bit disappointed that we greeted your silly, paranoid arguments with the ridicule they deserve. You asked everyone to refute your position - when we did, comprehensively, you went resorted to insults. By the way, as far as I've deducted, there's only one out gay here - David. You've mostly been arguing with heterosexual men and women.

I am truly sorry you hate gay people so much. (And I gather it's gay *men* you object to, not women?) It must make it hard, to be in the world, carrying that around. Hate away - it's a free country. But don't be fooled into thinking that there is some conspiracy. Gay people don't want to change your life one iota. They're not interested in you. They just want to live lives with the same rights and responsibilities that you have.

And stop connecting homosexuality and child sexual abuse. Child abusers are pedophiles - they're attracted to children. Most pedophiles are heterosexual in their adult relationships. Some are homosexual. It doesn't matter. What matters is that they're *pedophiles*.

Homophobia. I just find it all so comprehensively silly. Gay people are not victims, Arjay, and they want nothing from you. Just calm down.

Stickman - I'm jealous about Rufas. I've just discovered another great poofy musician - Stephin Merritt. If you haven't discovered him yet, he's my tip.

Gee, I always thought Arjay was a repressed Gay!

Johnny Rotten said:
"Stickman, it bothers me when someone is completely incapable of making cogent posts which relate to the topic."

Yeah.. well he irritates me too - all I am saying is don't expect much better from him, he doesn't appear capable.

"Gee, I always thought Arjay was a repressed Gay!"
I second that. I'd love to inspect his hard drive....

What are the main causes of homophobia? A few causes:

* Repressed homosexuality (this is no joke- there has been a study that strongly indicated that this can be a cause. I can't find the link right now but will search for it later.

* Unhealthy obsession with other people's sexual behaviour and needs.

* Unhealthy obsession with certain Holy book texts which are especially cherry-picked to back up a homophobic stance