So, my dear friend Margaret received a letter, today, from a group called “Defending Natural Marriage”.
They asked that Margaret sign a petition and return it to them – kindly making it postage paid – so they can present it to Parliament.
Margaret is known for her fierce commitment to ethical and moral standards and, therefore, was understandably eager to complete and return the petition. But, as you can see below, not without a few minor edits of her own:
It seems to me that Margaret’s version is much better than the original. So, if you’re from NSW might I encourage you to contact Premier O’Farrell either by snail mail or by email to office@premier.nsw.gov.au and copy and paste Margaret’s amended text into your message?
To: office@premier.nsw.gov.au
Subject: In Favour of Legalising Same-Sex Marriage
Mr Premier: As a citizen and resident of New South Wales, exercising my democratic rights, I declare my support for the “State Marriage Equality Bill 2012” currently before Parliament, which seeks to legalise same-sex marriage.
I respectfully ask you and the honourable members of Parliament to take my views into consideration when deliberating on any measure that grants legal recognition to same-sex partnerships, as doing so would broaden the natural family and be excellent for the common good of society.
— Don’t forget to include your name, address and email —
If you’re not from NSW, I’m sure the Premier would still be delighted to hear from you. Just amend the first sentence to: I am not a resident of New South Wales, but, even so, I wish to declare my support for the “State Marriage Equality Bill 2012” currently before Parliament which seeks to legalise same-sex marriage.
And, of course, many thanks to the folks at “Defending Natural Marriage” for prompting us to remind our politicians that bigots and homophobes are the vocal minority and do not represent the views of the majority of fair-minded Australians or even the majority of Christians.
Chrys Stevenson
Please consider donating to Australian Marriage Equality – every little bit helps to achieve equal marriage.
Gladly, the Cross-Eyed Bear 
The fact these twits can send out pre-paid envelopes in mass mail-outs in the hope of getting signatures, shows how well funded they are.
If, like me, you want to assist in the campaign for marriage equality – some things you can do include:
– Join Australian Marriage Equality to be kept informed of opportunities to have your say http://www.australianmarriageequality.com/wp/
– Send Australian Marriage Equality any spare $$ you may have https://www.australianmarriageequality.com/donate/
Thank you.
Done. Thanks for that.
Someone may want to start a counter-petition at http://www.care2.com/. Its free and if your petiion has merrit, Care2 will send it via their humongous newsletter and they may even improve the content for greater impact.
And Miranda Devine’s contribution – surely you couldn’t call it a legitimate column – in today’s Daily Telegraph is appalling even for her. Tony Windsor is “jumping on the bandwagon” supporting gay marriage; marriage equality advocates are “standover merchants” and “totalitarian bullies” who “demonise opponents” – while all those “defending” marriage are simply asking for “a civilised debate”. Well Ms Devine, the debate has been had and your side has already lost. A clear majority of Australians support or aren’t bothered by gay people being married as well as them.
Uggghh… Horrible but believable. After centuries of gays being bullied (to put it mildly), the bullies are being stood up to. Predictably, the bullies are now claiming they’re the ones being bullied.
Just sent the email as mentioned. That is, Margarets version, not the Neanderthal bible-basher version!
Touché! (say with flair :-))
Done –
Mr Premier: As a citizen and resident of Queensland, but wishing to support change for the better in NSW and hoping this would ultimately affect Queensland, I declare my support for the “State Marriage Equality Bill 2012” currently before Parliament, which seeks to legalise same-sex marriage.
I respectfully ask you and the honourable members of Parliament to take my views into consideration when deliberating on any measure that grants legal recognition to same-sex partnerships, as doing so would broaden the concept of family, acknowledge that the sexual expression of love can occur in a variety of ways, and that wanting to live the rest of your life with someone you love does not necessarily exclude same-sex partners.
[Name and address supplied] – edited by Chrys
Not sure about ‘a majority of Christians’, Chrys. Even some quite liberal Christians are still hung up on this. Do you have a cite for that? Is there a poll that broke down for religious beliefs and still came up with majority support?
http://www.australianmarriageequality.com/wp/a-majority-of-christians-support-marriage-equality/
Cool, thank you. A smaller majority, but it’s there.
Done and done.
Done, with my own addition below :
“I urge you and the honourable members of the NSW Parliament to take courage from New Zealand’s recent decision to formally recognise that everyone deserves respect and the right to marry whoever they happen to fall in love with. I long for the day when politicians, both state and federal, show some intestinal fortitude and ignore noisy, well funded religious lobby groups and do what they know is logical and morally right.”
I just did that Chrys and also included my local member.
Thank you Chrys!! Just amended the petition I received. Great idea.
Done, thanks Chrys. I also concur with Glenn Crouch!
I have done as requested, being a citizen of NSW.
Thank you for this.
You’re a rare gem, Abbie.
Awesome, I received an acknowledgement from Mr O’Farrell!
Dear Mr McDaniel
Thank you for your email of support regarding marriage equality.
Following the decision of the New Zealand Parliament I expressed a personal view
that
government should not deny to one section of the community recognition of
loving and committed relationships;
the issue should be dealt with by the Australian Parliament which, through
the Marriage Act 1961, currently has responsibility for the matter; and
given the range of views across the community on this issue, MPs should be
allowed a conscience vote in any vote on the matter.
Last year, a group of MPs representing a number of parties foreshadowed
introducing Marriage Equality Legislation into the NSW Parliament.
Currently the Legislative Council Standing Committee on Social Issues is inquiring
on whether it is constitutionally possible for the NSW Parliament to legislate in this
area. My personal view is it is not. The Committee is due to report to Parliament on
26 July 2013.
Thank you for taking the time to write to me on this issue.
Yours sincerely
Barry O’Farrell MP