Why isn’t Aquatic Centre named after Faith?
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
My thought regarding the debacle created over the naming of the new swimming centre in Kangaroo Flat: Why isn't our first Olympic pool, in Barnard Street, named after Faith Leech? Surely this could and should have been done many years ago, if Faith's heritage means anything to this city?
Adrian Gallagher, Strathdale
Bible argument is irrelevant
The implication of the majority of letters from various churches around Bendigo is that they were not given a chance to voice an opinion. The headline on the original story may well have been misleading, but how many Christian voices are there? And how do you think the newspaper can canvass, let alone print, them all?
But the most ridiculous argument put forward was that if love was the only criterion, then family members could marry. There are so many things wrong with this sort of reductive argument … so how does he explain the Bible’s claim that Adam and Eve were the originals and that we all sprang from them? How did we end up with a third generation? There is only one way, so his god must have condoned it. Which is all pretty much beside the point (as is me entering into such a silly argument), but the sort of tactic the “no” campaign is having to wage. The no case may have some legitimate arguments; I just haven’t heard them yet. It is quite clear what this legislation is about and no amount of obfuscation and meandering off on meaningless paths is going to change the fact that not only is the legislation needed, it is well overdue. And please don’t keep going on about what the bible do or doesn’t say. It’s irrelevant.
Barry Reynolds, Bendigo
Same-sex marriage debate is upsetting
I've been seeing quite a lot of hate online and in public recently about the LGBTIQ community, especially surrounding marriage equality, and it's really upsetting to me. It's a topic close to my heart, and that of my friends, because it is about our lives. We don't want to have to march through the streets or hold fundraisers, etc. just to be heard and have the same rights as heterosexual people. We will fight for our right, but we shouldn't have to. What I want to ask the already married couples out there is how would you feel if all of a sudden your marriage wasn't recognised by law? Imagine your husband or wife has suddenly passed away and because their parents don't understand why their child loves you, you are not allowed to have any part in their funeral, etc. You just don't matter. Your relationship doesn't matter. Your love doesn't matter. Your grief doesn't matter.
That is what every person who doesn't agree with marriage equality is saying about us. Well, guess what? We do. We are real, we exist and we are not going anywhere. To everyone who is an ally and is voting "yes" in this absurd survey, I say thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Belladonna-Rose Richards
Many take right to marry for granted
Marriage equality is about granting rights to those in the LGBTI community that many of us outside that community already take for granted. Equality is equitable, it is fair. Those standing behind their rhetoric in opposition of this movement fail to see the harm that a lack of inclusiveness has on a community. My hope for this postal survey is that people truly reflect on the impact that their say will have on the wider community before casting their 'vote'.