By John Van Klaveren
Geelong’s football club and council have waded into the gay marriage debate with supporting statements for a local campaign on the issue.
Australian Marriage Equality highlighted the statements as it campaigned in the region’s federal electorates for political support if the issue reaches a parliamentary conscience vote.
Councillors adopted Jan Farrell’s motion to publicly support marriage equality and write to local parliamentarians advising them of council’s decision.
The Cats’ statement said: “We understand that there is a possibility of a future conscience vote on the topic of marriage equality in parliament and the club has been contacted to support the current awareness raising campaign.
“Respect is a core value of the Geelong Cats and as a concept is nurtured. We respect diversity and say “no to discrimination” of any kind.”
Club people and culture general manager Rosie King said the Cats considered the request in light of the club’s Respect for Diversity policy.
“We felt comfortable supporting it by way of an open letter on our website as we were requested to have a visible presence in the campaign.”
Ms King said the statement would “gently” support the club’s work under the diversity policy in the areas of race, disability and gender.
“We’re not prescribing an individual view but pointing out the benefits to the community of being non-discriminatory.”
Cats patron and past president Frank Costa backed the club, believing members and the general community would understand and support the statement.
“Ten years ago maybe it might have been a concern but the community is more mature and more tolerant than it used to be,” he said.
“Genuine open discussion on those issues is valuable because it helps people think a bit deeper.”
Australian Marriage Equality’s Ivan Hinton welcomed both statements.
“The council has joined the Geelong Football Club, which recently became the first senior AFL team to support the reform,” he said.
“Now it’s time federal member Sarah Henderson listened to her local council, her footy club and her constituents to back a reform that will strengthen families and help the local economy.”
Ms Henderson said she had been consulting widely to “best represent the people of Corangamite on this issue”.
“I understand that for many people in Corangamite this is a very important issue,” she said.
“Recently I met with a group of local residents who are passionate about seeing a change in the law. I’ll also be meeting with Australian Marriage Equality representatives.
“The prime minister has stated that the coalition’s policy on same-sex marriage, including whether there will be a conscience vote, will be placed in the hands of the coalition party room for review. I look forward to being part of the process.”
