Multicultural and multi-faith groups urge a YES vote on same-sex marriage

SBS World News Radio: Multicultural and multi-faith groups have gathered to formally launch their push for a "Yes" vote on same-sex marriage.Many nationalities were represented but not all newly arrived Australians are in favour of changing existing laws.

Multicultural and multi-faith groups urge a YES vote on same-sex marriage

Multicultural and multi-faith groups urge a YES vote on same-sex marriage

More than 1-hundred gathered outside Victorian Parliament in the name of marriage equality.

Their backgrounds diverse, but their message a consistent "yes."

Judy Tank is President of the Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council, and says there's an undeniable empathy between new arrivals and those she represents.

"Multicultural groups they've gone through so much persecution, discrimination in their lifetime and they're fighting for a better future with exactly the same as same-sex marriage and marriage equality in itself so that's what we're after."

Joe Caputo represents the Federation Of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia - and says a yes vote is about Australia.

"Moving towards the all the other equal liberal democratic societies that have actually legislated to make marriage equality for everybody."

Religious leaders, politicians and student groups lent their support to the cause.

An overnight decision from the New South Wales Jewish Board of deputies supporting marriage equality resonating with Saul Burston from the Australasian Union Of Jewish Students.

"It's just the right thing to do - it just makes sense and it's two consenting adults who love each other should be able to marry each other and they shouldn't be told that they can't

For many, on both sides of this debate - the future of the familiy unit will determine their vote.

Sri Lankan-born lawyer Molina Asthana who represents the Asian Australian Alliance says she will vote "yes"

"We want to emphasise that this is all about families strengthening families and it's also about equality, we want equality for all we believe in the values of liberty and equality it's our basic human right."

But, at his church in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, political aspirant and Sri Lankan born Christian Pastor Daniel Nalliah says the family is at the heart of his vote against marriage equality.

"The Bible is very clear - a man and a woman was created, come together with reproductive organs so they could produce children whereas when two men come together it's not the same."

And it's a sentiment shared by the congregation he describes as "multi-ethnic" - including Malaysian born worshipper, John Chee.

"Well if they want to live together but don't make it law that effects everyone in the country - in their private lives we can't go against them but - the bible says we must love them but we must tell them the truth it is not the right thing to do."

Results of the postal survey will be released on November 15.

 

 

 

 






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Published 20 September 2017 9:00pm

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