Reverends, MPs split on same-sex marriage

By Michelle Herbison
“HEALTH problems” like HIV will increase if gay marriage is legalised, according to a Geelong reverend.
St George’s Presbyterian Church Reverend Andrew Bray this week signed an Australian Christian Lobby petition to protect the definition of marriage as between “one man and one woman”.
Rev Bray said health and theology jointly drove his opinion.
“The increase in HIV and those sorts of issues… statistics indicate it’s greater in same-sex couples.
“My simple opinion is the indication that there are more health problems that would ensue as a result of legislating this than where we are at the moment.”
Rev Bray’s comments came as federal parliament this week debated a bill to legalise same-sex marriage.
Member for Corangamite Darren Cheeseman and Corio MP Richard Marles both confirmed they would support the bill at an upcoming conscience vote.
The region’s other signatory to the Australian Christian Lobby petition, Church by the Bay Portarlington’s Reverend David Rock, refused to discuss with the Independent his reason for supporting the letter.
Mr Cheeseman said anyone joining the public debate should be “upfront and honest”.
His decision to support the bill followed 12 months of consultation with constituents.
“After listening carefully, I’ve adopted the position to support their view. Obviously there’s a diversity of views out there but certainly the minority view in the Geelong community is to oppose it.
“A lot of people are using fear to try and stop the reform. I don’t think there are any consequences on people’s health by changing the Marriage Act.”
Mr Marles said in parliament this week he “had an enormous amount of respect for” those who believed marriage should be between only a man and a woman but he disagreed.
Legalising same-sex marriage would follow recent reforms in property and superannuation laws for homosexual couples, he said.
“The legislation… will remove a denial of human rights from our books and will allow same-sex couples to engage in our society on the same terms as heterosexual couples.”