Reason in favour of Gay Marriage #1:

Same Sex Marriage should be legalised because
ALL AUSSIES DESERVE A FAIR GO

Argument in favour of Gay Marriage:

Not allowing someone equal opportunity to do something just because they’re different is terribly un-Australian. Hence, same sex couples should be allowed to marry because, in the spirit of Aussie fairness, they, too, deserve equal opportunity to have their relationships recognised legally.

The Facts:

As a matter of fact, the following Aussies don’t get “a fair go” when it comes to marriage:

— Aussies who are already married

— Aussies who want to marry their siblings or children

— Aussie guardians who want to marry their adopted children

— Aussies who are underage

The Real Issues:

• The Macmillan Dictionary defines “fair go” as “a reasonable opportunity to do something”. But providing equal opportunity for same sex couples to marry can only be achieved by changing the very definition of marriage for all Australians. In other words, providing equal opportunity for marriage in some cases changes the meaning of marriage in all cases. How is that a fair go? Clearly, the campaign for legalising same sex marriage is not about “a reasonable opportunity to do something”. Rather, it’s about an unreasonable demand masquerading as a plea for fairness.

• Legalising same sex marriage legitimises the idea that having a Mum and a Dad is just the same as having two Mums or two Dads. Put differently, legalising same sex marriage makes it legal for a child to be denied their right to have a Mum and a Dad. How is that a fair go? How is it fair to draft a law that implies the gender of a child’s parents doesn’t matter? Truth is, the roles that Mums and Dads play in parenting, while being complementary, are very different. And the wellbeing of the child depends on both roles being present and active in their lives. Having both Mum and Dad is a right every child is born with. And the present Australian marriage laws are designed to recognise and safeguard that right. If the law is changed to allow same sex marriages, kids lose their right to have both Mum and Dad. That is not a fair go.*

[*The point here is not to stigmatise single parents. We all know at least one single parent who puts a lot of effort into playing both roles of Mum and Dad and they do a fantastic job.  Truth be told, some single parents might even put many heterosexual parents to shame. But brilliant single parents don’t automatically imply that single parenthood is the model for families everywhere. Or that families with both parents are somehow irrelevant. It just means that some single parents are heroes whilst some hetero parents are complete losers. But to use such examples to conclude that a child doesn’t need both a Mum and a Dad is a non sequitur; it just doesn’t follow. We need to be guided by the general rule, not the exception.]

Conclusion:

Australian law actually says that it’s quite okay not to give some Aussies “a fair go” when it comes to marriage. And for good reason! So if you’re opposed to same sex marriage, don’t let anyone guilt you into thinking you’re being un-Australian.

Rainbow header image via goodfon.su. Icons made by Dave Gandy from www.flaticon.com is licensed by CC BY 3.0