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Ian Johnson, Out Now
September 29, 2007
TOPICS: Gay marriage market. Gay civil partnerships market. Lesbian civil unions marketing. GLBT marriage market. Gay and lesbian weddings market. LGBT pink wedding market news. Gay and lesbian marriage communications. Brands targeting gay civil partnership market. Latest gay market news powered by Out Now. Gay civil union marketing brand strategy. Australia and civil unions. John Howard and gay rights.
Gay Market News has reported often on the growth of the market for civil unions, gay marriage, civil partnerships and pink weddings. This is taking place all over the world.
This week saw gay marriage proponents in Rhode Island celebrating the one year anniversary of a court ruling allowing them to marry in Massachusetts.
Some places though are moving more slowly than others.
In my native Australia, current Prime Minister, John Howard, has an election battle on his hands in a few weeks time. Despite the best efforts of some of his party's members of parliament, the push for gay civil unions in Australia remains largely stalled.
That left me wondering - what are they actually afraid of?
There is no doubt that the economic benefits of gay marriage are immense, and the social or moral arguments seem to be lacking in substance.
If you have ever wondered what all the fuss is about over civil partnership, civil unions, gay marriage, pink weddings, gay honeymoons -- and all that jazz, then enjoy reading this extract from a very honest (and highly funny) opinion column about the perils of gay marriage - from Australia's Sydney Morning Herald.
Have a nice weekend, and back with all the latest from the world of gay market news next week. And our very best wishes to Ewan Samway and his husband in Sydney.
Western society: my gay wedding's role in its downfall
Ewan Samway
September 21, 2007
I'm a bloke with something to confess: I married a bloke last month. My very own Big Fat Gay Wedding.
Actually, I married him twice. First, the wonderful British consulate staff conducted the official civil ceremony - an opportunity possible only due to my dual citizenship - at their glamorous Sydney office. Then Matt and I did the whole shebang in the Royal Botanic Gardens in front of 120 of our family and friends.
It was joyous. It felt great. It was the most beautiful and emotional day of my life. And it was done in full view of anyone who happened to be passing by, with quite a few joining in with a cheer. It was so public that, with a decent pair of binoculars, the residents of (Prime Minister John Howard's residence) Kirribilli House might have cottoned on to the fact there was one groom too many.
This leads me to be truly concerned for our Prime Minister, who believes recognising gay marriage will quickly lead to the downfall of marriage, family values and the collapse of Western society. Now, do you think the Howard marriage is on the rocks because a couple of boys tied the knot? Of course not.
What a nonsense argument: (-- John Howard to his wife, Jeanette --)"We have to split, my sweet Janette, because all marriage is a sham, as gays have the same rights as us … our marriage won't be taken seriously any more."
Get real.
Our supposedly loving religious leaders argue that marriage is the preserve of breeders. But (the conservative members of the Church) never rile against post-menopausal, sterile or even "non-breeding" heterosexual couples marrying. I don't agree with their argument, but I'd take it more seriously if they opposed seniors getting married.
Really, with their logic, a marriage licence should be revoked if there are no kids after, say, two years. The idea that only married hetero couples have children suggests both bishops should get out more often.
Another argument against gay marriage is that government superannuation funds will have to provide benefits to gay partners. This is a mean, unjust and immoral argument. It's just as valid to argue that super benefits should not be passed to blond partners.
And in the aftermath of my credit card carnage, this argument doesn't stack. Gay marriage is a huge business opportunity. The economic benefits to jewellers, wineries, reception halls, car-hire and clothing retailers clearly offsets this.
I now understand why many people put off marriage. While it is an incredibly moving experience, it must delay the home purchase or baby plans of many young couples.
Marriage needs to be constructively encouraged, not mired in an exclusivity debate.
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