Australian Ex-PM Tony Abbott's lesbian sister Christine Forster shuts down attack on same sex marriage

Earlier this week former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, lashed out, strongly opposing same sex marriage.

Debate over the issue has certainly heated up in the country over the past few weeks.

Abbott was the PM in Australia from 2013 to 2015 and yesterday he said people should vote 'no' to equal marriage in order to 'stop' political correctness.

He said: "If you are worried about freedom of speech and freedom of religion, vote no."

"If you don't like political correctness, vote no, because this is the best way to stop it in its tracks."

Abbott's strong opposition to same sex marriage, is despite his sister Christine Forster, waiting for the right to be able marry her same sex partner.

Forster is a councillor in Sydney and had the following response to her brothers comments:

"If you value mutual respect: vote yes. If you want all Australians to be equal: vote yes. If you believe in free speech: vote yes. If this is about the people: vote yes."

"If you want the person you love to be in every sense a part of your family: vote yes."

"If you don't believe your relationships (or anyone else's) are second rate: vote yes."

"If you believe your own marriage is a good thing: vote yes!"

It looks like same sex marriage will go to a public vote in Australia, which will cost $120 million, and wouldn't even be legally binding.

That's despite the majority of MP's in Parliament supporting it, and it being widely known that the majority of the Australian people support it, with recent polls suggesting up to 70% are in favour.

Hence equal marriage campaigners and sane people are asking why spend millions on this, when it could be free!

Australian TV presenter asks "Why are we stopping people from loving each other?"

An Australian TV presenter has summed up how ridiculous government stalling on same sex marriage really is.

It comes after the Australian Parliament voted to block a free vote on the matter.

That's despite the majority of MP's supporting equal marriage, and the majority of the Australian public supporting it.

Today Presenter Karl Stefanovic began by saying: "A non binding, non-compulsory postal vote is complete BS."

Referring to plans for a plebiscite, which would allow the public a vote on same sex marriage, but the government would be under no legal obligation to carry out the decision.

Stefanovic went on the say:

"In my opinion there have been far too many column inches, far too much airtime, far too much taxpayer money wasted on an issue I believe should be decided in Parliament."

"Let's get on with it....Let's look at this simply confidently and compassionately. Why are we stopping people from loving each other? In a world where we should be celebrating love over hate, this decision is a no-brainer."

"Two people who want to share their lives together, love the big events as a union, and the small moments in life."

"Vote in Parliament and say yes to gay marriage, and lets live happily ever after."

You can view the full video - HERE

Northern Ireland equal marriage campaigner tells leaders "respect the will of the people"

An equal marriage campaigner in Northern Ireland has told leaders its time to respect the will of the people.

Una Mullally made the comments before Amnesty International's Belfast Pride lecture last week, she said the public "overwhelmingly support marriage equality".

Mullally added: "One of the things we need to work on as an island as a whole, is greater solidarity and communication between communities north and south. This is acutely apparent in how the LGBT community's rights have been divided on the island."

"It is absurd that a lesbian or gay couple can get married in Dundalk, but not in Newry. It is absurd too, that politicians continue to veto the equality and rights of people in Northern Ireland, disrespecting the will of the people."

Mullally is an columnist for the Irish Times and authored a book on same sex marriage in Ireland.

She was a key campaigner during equality efforts in the Republic of Ireland, which saw same sex marriage legalised in 2015.

Meanwhile The Northern Ireland Assembly isn't even functioning at the moment, after the collapse of the power-sharing agreement between the DUP and Sinn Fein.

Sinn Fein want same sex marriage introduced, but they face strong opposition from the homophobic DUP.

Returning to the essence of Mullally's comments: I think it's really interesting that politicians who are so against same sex marriage, seem to ignore the clear public support for it.

It seems to take threats of being defeated at the ballot box which make them take notice.

For example in Germany many felt Angela Merkel's decision to allow a vote on same sex marriage, was due to looming elections. The Chancellor actually voted against the measure so clearly she hasn't had a change of heart on the issue.

Meanwhile in Australia, the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is getting pressure from backbenchers in his own party to allow a vote.

Recent polls show the vast majority of Australian's support same sex marriage. But its only been since Turnbull started to consider he might lose votes, that the rhetoric has changed, and we could see some movement in Australia, as early as this week.

Australia could be moving closer towards a vote on same sex marriage in the coming week

There's been a lot of chatter about same sex marriage in Australia this past week.

It comes as recent polls show the vast majority of the public, are supportive of equal marriage.

Reports indicate the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has made it easier for legislation on the issue to be introduced.

It is expected to be raised at party-room meetings when Parliament returns next week.

Turnbull has supported calls for a nationwide vote on the issue, called a plebiscite, before legislation can be introduced, but the latest reports suggest he may be backing away from that being a requirement.

He told reporters: "In our party, backbenchers have always had the right to cross the floor." Signalling his awareness of many backbenchers who have said they would be in favour of same sex marriage.

It also apparently opens the door and gives backbenchers permission to vote against their own party, which is in government.

Marriage equality campaigners have largely opposed the plebiscite, saying such an electoral exercise could have a negative impact on LGBT+ youth.

Furthermore any plebiscite which is held would not be legally binding, so the government could just ignore it if they wished to. Hence why many want legislation to be pushed through parliament so MP's have to vote on it.

Meanwhile a Conservative senator published a draft bill titled Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017, which would provide the legislation for same sex marriage.

Though the bill would allow people of the same gender to marry, it would also allow religious institutions to refuse to carry out the marriages, provided they comply with anti-discrimination laws.

Co-Chair of The Equality Campaign, Anna Brown said: "We've been waiting for marriage equality for a long time and now our politicians have the opportunity to make it a reality, with a Bill that reflects the hard work and extensive consultation undertaken by a Senate committee earlier this year".

"This is about civil marriage. No religious sacrament is impacted in anyway. Religious leaders will still have the right to conduct their marriage ceremonies in line with their doctrines and beliefs", she added.

The draft bill also confirms that businesses and non-religious organisations won't be able to refuse service to same sex couples.

It's felt that if legislation was introduced it would easily pass, with just four Liberal MP's required to join forces with the Labour Party to pass it.

Other MP's have pointed out how ridiculous the governments opposition to equal marriage is considering the majority of the public agree with it.

Many believe Malcolm Turnbull's government could suffer at the next election if no progress is made on the issue.

One Liberal backbencher, Tim Wilson, said: "It's in our best interests to move on from this issue so we can focus on the sorts of things I think people voted for me, and for my party to deal with."

Australia has looked more and more behind the times in recent years.

Neighbouring New Zealand legalised same sex marriage in August 2013, along with the United Kingdom, and just this year the German Parliament voted in favour.

It should be an interesting week ahead, so keep your eyes open for more news from Australia!

The Ray: DC's gay superhero is fighting oppression wherever it exists

The Ray is coming soon, and guess what? He's a gay superhero, said to be the first to lead his own series.

According to Digital Spy the new DC Series from the creators of The Flash and Supergirl, is set to air on CW Seed, and is a spinoff from Arrow.

The series takes place in an alternate history timeline in which Germany won the Second World War, and now rules the United States.

The synopsis:

Raymond 'Ray' Terrill was a reporter who discovered a group of government scientists working on a secret project to turn light, into a weapon of mass destruction.

But before he could report on his findings, the project head exposed Ray to a genetic light bomb, which resulted in him obtaining light-based powers.

His mission is to fight violence and oppression wherever it exists.

The Ray first appeared in DC Comics back in 1940, and in the past has been featured as a member of the Justice League.

Check out the first trailer for 'The Ray', which premiered at Comic Con last month:


Actor John Barrowman, who stars in Arrow said last year he felt it was time an openly gay superhero took the spotlight.

In response to a question about whether or not the audience would be ready for it, Barrowman said: "Personally, I don't care if they are, or not. It's time we had one."

CW Seed already has an Arrow spinoff 'Vixen' and the network are looking at Vixen and The Ray crossing over onto the 'Arrow' live action TV series.

'Freedom Fighters: The Ray' is set for release at the end of the year.