Same-sex comments slammed

By Michelle Herbison
Geelong professionals have slammed a reverend’s comments that gay marriage would increase health problems.
Headspace Barwon’s Toni van Hamond said St George’s Presbyterian Church Reverend Andrew Bray had made local young people “angry, upset and confused” with his anti-gay marriage opinions in last week’s Independent.
Federal Government voted against a bill to legalise same-sex marriage this week.
Rev Bray was justifying his reasons for signing an Australian Christian Lobby petition to protect the definition of marriage as being “between one man and one woman”.
“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,” he said.
Barwon Health Sexual Health Nurse Rochelle Hamilton said “persecutory behaviours” towards gays and lesbians was usually from those with “uneducated” views.
“HIV and AIDS do not discriminate,” she said.
“It affects males and females regardless of sexual orientation. The WHO supports this.”
Ms Hamilton said societal ignorance, not health problems, was the main concern for Geelong’s homosexual community.
Ms van Hamond said Rev Bray’s comments damaged an already marginalised group.
“We’re trying to work with young people who are questioning their sexuality and it’s really important we empower them with support rather than negativity,” she said.
“When anybody in a leadership position in the community makes statements like that it’s only going to restrict young peoples’ access to help.
“There’s evidence that young people with same sex issues are at higher risk of suicide because of the isolation and stigma attached.”
A Headspace fact sheet said Australian research showed between seven and 11 per cent of young people were same-sex attracted or unsure of their sexual orientation.
Ms van Hamond said “stigma, fear and ignorance” of same-sex attracted people was “in the same era” as stigma surrounding mental health 15 years ago.
“Sexuality is in the community and the older generation will not accept it. It’s about persistence and education and facts and realising that we’re talking about real people,” she said.