Speaking of human rights

The long homophobic arm of Howard's federal government may be reaching out into the ACT to destroy any chance that same sex couples might be granted equal rights under our laws. Apparently, Philip Ruddock is threatening to block John Stanhope's proposed civil union laws for gay and lesbian couples unless changes are made to the bill. You see, Howard is adament that same sex couple not be granted the same rights as heterosexuals and, unfortunately, has the right under the Constitution to dictate his views to the ACT government.

I think that John Stanhope's response is a good one:

Mr Ruddock needs to be asked what is his real concern about the ACT legislation. What is his real concern about my commitment to remove discrimination and to show respect to same-sex relationships and one has to pose the question is whether or not the real reason is that there is no place in John Howard's Australia for homosexuals.

I think that he has basically got it in one.

If it makes him feel any better, there is also no place for:

• single mothers,
• people with disabilities,
• the unemployed,
• indigenous australians,
• asylum seekers,
• unionised workers,
• latte drinkers, or
• university students

(to name just a few).

same sex couples, human rights, Australian politics, ACT politics, John Howard