I first learned about the issue of Gay Marriage in South Park. Over 10 years ago!
‘Gay marriage’ or the PC version of it called ‘marriage equality’ has been an issue in the Australia political for arena in for over a good decade now.
It’s been a divisive issue in many ways in that no matter what side someone takes; there is someone on the other side. After much consideration myself, I am one of those ‘Pro Gay Marriage’ Christians often earning me the hatred of both sides of the spectrum.
Extremely religious people think I am some kind of heretic and far left people just discriminate against me for even believing in Jesus for a moment.
This polarisation has of course been a political hot potato as both sides haven’t really touched it and aren’t making decisions trying to push it to ‘Popular Vote’ to distance themselves from the fallout. I have been hearing the terms “plebiscite” and “referendum” on this one and I thought it’s finally time to understand what this means.
In summary from Google Dictionary:
“Voting in referenda is compulsory. Referenda are binding on the government. A plebiscite is sometimes called an ‘advisory referendum’ because the government does not have to act upon its decision. Plebiscites do not deal with Constitutional questions but issues on which the government seeks approval to act, or not act.”
What peaked my interest in this one was the vote against doing plebiscite from the Greens Party and LGBT lobbyists. This sounded strange on the surface in that they are the first ones to the say ‘the majority’ are supportive of it, but are against putting it to popular vote.
It then got me thinking; they would only opposite it if they thought they were going to lose. This started making sense in that let’s say gay marriage went out to popular vote. It would start a press war and you would have all sides getting into fighting for whatever side of this issue. I could only imagine what would go around and I actually think Gay Marriage wouldn’t make it if it went popular vote.
My reasoning comes from the power of religion in Australia. They would no doubt unite to stop this movement and if any major politician backed it, it’s no way they would get back in. I also too suspect the research done to support Gay Marriage may not be completely objective (as it’s being presented to say opinion).
So there you go awesome friends. Gay marriage has probably got another decade of a stalemate on it and that is why many oppose a plebiscite on the issue. It would certainly stir up the hornet’s nest for sure!
My advice and lessons friends? Always search for the motives behind the words. What we often hear on the surface isn’t quite the truth; the truth is the unspoken words, meaning and movements behind it.
If anything, I have seen religious people wanting the plebiscite. Makes sense now. They know they would win.
Love your work, thanks for the read, touch wood we get marriage equality one day – but I wouldn’t hold my breathe anytime soon.
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