What the election result means for sexual diversity
By: Archer Magazine
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Founding editor of Archer Magazine, Amy Middleton, offers a personal response to the outcome of the 2013 Australian federal election.
I’VE OFTEN WONDERED how democratic leaders responsible for atrocities throughout history were elected by the people they would come to oppress.
I used to put it down to corruption and dishonesty in the democratic process. But the last 12 months in Australian politics have provided a very real account of how a frightened and malcontented people can make rash decisions, fully aware that their consequences will persecute their neighbours.
I never thought I’d be so openly discriminated against by my own leader in Australia. Australia – the lucky country. The country we have all felt chuffed to inhabit, even if our pride is buried beneath layers of shame.
Australia has elected a Prime Minister that stands staunchly against human rights for gay and lesbian Australians. He believes in family only in a traditional sense. He is against diversity. He believes gays and lesbians to be second class, morally beneath straight people. He believes in discrimination against gay and lesbian Australians. His open prejudice allows prejudice within the Australian public. With this vote, Australia has actively discriminated against me based on my sexuality, along with thousands of Australians of all ages, socio-economic positions and geographic locations.
That’s pretty intense. It’s fascinating and frightening to feel direct prejudice from my leader. It has happened throughout history and the results have been devastating, and it’s shocking to realise we haven’t learned from the outcomes of past divisiveness.
On a personal level, the silver lining in this situation is that in March, I established what is now an anti-establishment publication which promotes diversity through conversation. These issues were relevant in March but from today on, they are crucial. A leader with prejudice allows for prejudice among his people, and that prejudice has now been given permission to step into the light in our cities, suburbs and towns.
It’s a volatile state of affairs and the possibilities, frankly, are terrifying.
Welcome to present-day Australia.
Text by Amy Middleton.
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Amy is right with her thoughts, Abbott is a white supremacist who takes regular counsel with George Pell, a Christian bigot. He is dishonest and if I hear one more time that he is a road scholar, I’ll puke. Intelligence is not about book learning, it is about understanding, tolerance and being non judgemental. About compassion and embracing the big melting pot of all colours, creeds and sexual diversities of the the world.
Really great to see a reflective piece on how politics can affect our sexuality. Would love to see more articles like this. Thanks Amy.
I hardly think opposing same-sex marriage equates to being “against human rights for gay and lesbian Australians”, and very little Abbott has said has suggested that he “believes in discrimination against gay and lesbian Australians”. I think you’re being a bit dramatic, Amy.
Hi Jack,
I disagree with you. I didn’t use to take the anti gay marrigage stance too personally, I thought, ‘It’s just a matter of personal opinion’.
But in the last few years, as straight friends of mine have gotten married, and the debate around gay marriage has become more politicised and prominent, I’ve realised that people who are against gay marriage actually in some way see me as a second-class citizen.
It’s felt very heavy to realise this, and that even friends of mine who ‘seem’ fine with my relationship with my partner, actually have an issue with me having the same rights as every straight Australian. I do believe it’s a human rights issue. I want the same opportunities, standard of living, legal and financial protection, as well as symbollic recognition, as every other Australian who loves someone else.
Tony Abbott does believe in discrimination, which is evident in the fear he seems to have around gay rights, not to mention asylum seekers etc.
Thankyou,
Amy
This is so well put. I have found this whole election to be a very sad reminder of how racism and homophobia were used as tools in this game called political campaigning. We need this kind ofintellectual discussion around these issues. Pushing for your Pozible campaign guys.
Bel and Cec.