For many generations, same sex couples and homosexual people have fought for the right to become equal to opposite sex couples and heterosexual people. This report will investigate the changes in rights that people in same sex relationships have encountered around the world and determine whether or not same sex couples today have greater rights than they did in previous generations.
Every country in the world has different laws surrounding same sex marriage. For example the United States of America, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and many other countries have passed a law that allows same sex couples to marry (BBC, 2013). This means that in these countries, same sex couples now have the right to file joint wills and taxes, to be able to visit …show more content…
In spite of this, according to the Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott, the government will not be changing the laws any time soon. Abbott, has said ‘What happens in the United States is a matter for the United States, just as what happened in Ireland a few weeks ago is a matter for the Irish. I have views on this subject which are pretty well known and they haven 't changed.’ (Sydney Morning Herald, 2015). Abbott’s views, while they are reflective of his Christian beliefs, are also quite baffling as his sister, Christine Forster, is lesbian and speaks out about the injustice facing same sex couples in today’s society. Even children as young as eleven can see that not allowing same sex couples to marry is pitiful. Orlando Burcham wrote to the Prime minister saying ‘You were elected to represent our country, not yourself. Just because you think it’s wrong, does not give you the right to make it illegal. Doesn’t our opinions matter to you?’ (Daily Life, 2014). Why is it that an eleven year old and over half the Australian public with the same opinion can have a better understanding and be more accepting than the Prime Minister of …show more content…
While the churches views are widely known, Pope Francis has said that ‘Catholics should stop judging gay people and focusing incessantly on sexuality’ (Huffington Post, 2015). Although the pope believes that there is nothing wrong with same sex marriage or homosexuality, his views on sexuality do not constitute a doctrinal change in the Church 's position on homosexuality and same sex marriage as most Christians choose to follow the bible which states ‘You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination’ Lev.18:22 (Bible Hub, 2014). The Westboro Baptist Church, is one church which wholly aligns itself with this bible verse. The church is known for hate crimes against gay and lesbian people (God Hates Fags, 2015). The church has committed crimes such as picketing the funerals of gay people that have been brutally bashed and died as a result. The churches URL is even www.godhatesfags.com (God Hates Fags, 2015). Similar crimes have happened in Australia these acts are discriminatory and prove that even though everyone has a right to safety that some people believe that gay and lesbian people do not. These crimes are mainly conducted by homophobic people or groups. Religion, family views, your home and school environment, previous assumptions about gay people and simply being uneducated on the topic can all lead to people being
Every country in the world has different laws surrounding same sex marriage. For example the United States of America, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and many other countries have passed a law that allows same sex couples to marry (BBC, 2013). This means that in these countries, same sex couples now have the right to file joint wills and taxes, to be able to visit …show more content…
In spite of this, according to the Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott, the government will not be changing the laws any time soon. Abbott, has said ‘What happens in the United States is a matter for the United States, just as what happened in Ireland a few weeks ago is a matter for the Irish. I have views on this subject which are pretty well known and they haven 't changed.’ (Sydney Morning Herald, 2015). Abbott’s views, while they are reflective of his Christian beliefs, are also quite baffling as his sister, Christine Forster, is lesbian and speaks out about the injustice facing same sex couples in today’s society. Even children as young as eleven can see that not allowing same sex couples to marry is pitiful. Orlando Burcham wrote to the Prime minister saying ‘You were elected to represent our country, not yourself. Just because you think it’s wrong, does not give you the right to make it illegal. Doesn’t our opinions matter to you?’ (Daily Life, 2014). Why is it that an eleven year old and over half the Australian public with the same opinion can have a better understanding and be more accepting than the Prime Minister of …show more content…
While the churches views are widely known, Pope Francis has said that ‘Catholics should stop judging gay people and focusing incessantly on sexuality’ (Huffington Post, 2015). Although the pope believes that there is nothing wrong with same sex marriage or homosexuality, his views on sexuality do not constitute a doctrinal change in the Church 's position on homosexuality and same sex marriage as most Christians choose to follow the bible which states ‘You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination’ Lev.18:22 (Bible Hub, 2014). The Westboro Baptist Church, is one church which wholly aligns itself with this bible verse. The church is known for hate crimes against gay and lesbian people (God Hates Fags, 2015). The church has committed crimes such as picketing the funerals of gay people that have been brutally bashed and died as a result. The churches URL is even www.godhatesfags.com (God Hates Fags, 2015). Similar crimes have happened in Australia these acts are discriminatory and prove that even though everyone has a right to safety that some people believe that gay and lesbian people do not. These crimes are mainly conducted by homophobic people or groups. Religion, family views, your home and school environment, previous assumptions about gay people and simply being uneducated on the topic can all lead to people being