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December 23, 2005

Australian PM Howard Says Gay Unions Out of Question

Topics: Faith

While England embraces homosexual marriage, Australia is saying they won't even think about going there...

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Australia would not be following Britain's lead by introducing a class of marriage for same-sex couples.

"I believe very strongly that marriage is exclusively a union for life of a man and a woman to the exclusion of others," Howard said, as reported by the Australian Associated Press. "That's the common understanding of marriage in the Judeo-Christian tradition, and I would be opposed to the recognition of civil unions."

Australian lawmakers voted to amend the Marriage Act last year that enshrined the traditional definition of marriage as between a man and woman exclusively. Asked if he would support same-sex civil partnership legislation, Howard responded: "I would be opposed to it. I think marriage is for men and women. That's why we amended the Marriage Act [in August 2004]."

Many have argued that same-sex marriage would be good for homosexuals. Some have gone so far as to propose that the change would strengthen the institutions of marriage and family by reaffirming commitment and fidelity. Early data from abroad, however, do not support the claim that same-sex marriage would benefit marriage in general. In the Netherlands, where homosexual relationships gained legal recognition in 1998, same-sex marriage has not strengthened the family but may have accelerated its decline.

Posted by Richard at December 23, 2005 5:26 PM

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