ANTI-GAY LEAFLET “JUST THE START OF MISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN”

LEAFLET CONDEMNED BY PSYCHOLOGISTS, CHRISTIANS, ADVOCATES

“It’s one thing for politicians to use electioneering to sledge one another but it’s a very different thing to use that same mechanism to hurt vulnerable people in the community.” – The Very Rev Dr Peter Catt

“This leaflet is factually incorrect and deeply damaging. A review of research in this area that was undertaken by the APS shows the children of same-sex couples are likely to be at least as well adjusted, socially, emotionally, and academically, as other children.” – Dr Liz Short, Australian Psychological Society

“This is just the start of the anti-gay misinformation campaign millions of Australians will have to endure if the government spends $160 million on a marriage equality plebiscite.” – Rodney Croome

Psychologists, faith leaders and marriage equality advocates have condemned an anti-gay leaflet, saying the damaging claims, including against the children of same-sex parents, show how damaging and divisive a marriage equality plebiscite campaign will be.

The leaflet, authorised by former Liberal MP and Lyons Forum founder, Chris Miles, claims the children of same-sex couples are, among other things, more likely to be unemployed and sexual victims, and to have higher rates of STIs and drug abuse.

National Director of Australian Marriage Equality Rodney Croome said:

“This is just the start of the anti-gay misinformation campaign millions of Australians will have to endure if the government spends $160 million on a marriage equality plebiscite.”

“Australia can avoid a damaging plebiscite campaign, and we could have marriage equality by mid year, if parliament is simply allowed to do its job and has a free vote.”

“Not only is the information on this flyer wrong, it will put the lives of young gay people and the children of same-sex couples at risk by reinforcing the message that they and their families are broken.”

“In contrast to the negative tone of this material, we will continue to run a positive campaign about the importance of marriage equality and the equal dignity of all loving relationships and families.”

Dr Liz Short, who led the APS review of LGBTI parenting research, said:

“This leaflet is factually incorrect and deeply damaging. The APS’s review of research in this area shows the children of same-sex couples are likely to be at least as well adjusted, socially, emotionally, and academically, as other children.”

“It also shows their mental health is vulnerable to exactly the kind of prejudice and hostility to be found in this leaflet.”

“The APS opposes a plebiscite on marriage equality and prefers a vote in parliament because we fear there will be much more of this damaging misinformation.”

The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt, who is President of Progressive Christian Voice, said:

“This kind of material is very divisive for faith communities. There are views on both sides of the conversation and neither side should be claiming to speak on behalf of all of us.”

“A plebiscite is totally unnecessary and this leaflet is just a sign of what is coming, in particular in terms of the damage that could be done to young people.

“It’s one thing for politicians to use electioneering to sledge one another but it’s a very different thing to use that same mechanism to hurt vulnerable people in the community.”
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome