News: 11yr old schools Australian PM on gay marriage

ReginaPhalange

Inspired by his mum, 11-year-old Orlando Burcham wrote to Tony Abbott about gay marriage, calling his stance pathetic

Quote:

“Dear Tony Abbott
My name is Orlando Burcham, I am 11 years old and I would like to know why you don’t allow “gay marriage” in Australia. Because the majority of Australians are happily married, so why are you stopping all the gay men/women to be married in this beautiful country?
My mother is gay and even worse your own sister is gay! And thousands more are as well. You have actually met my mum (Councillor Cordelia Troy) who is a member of the Liberal Party and she was deputy major at the time. It is so pathetic that you aren’t letting the gay people of Australia and other countries get married here. Millions of people in the world and when they come to Australia and think “wow this place is great! Let’s get married here!” And then they remember that they can’t. So they spend thousands of dollars to go somewhere they can get married. My mum is married but she had to go to New York, which took a lot of money.
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? Just because you’re the Prime Minister, which by the way does not give you all the power.
I hope you change your mind.”

Tony Abbott responded with

Quote:

“Dear Orlando
Thank you for letting me know your views about same sex marriage.
I appreciate the deep feelings that many in the community have on either side of the issue.
The Government supports the current definition of marriage contained in the Marriage Act 1961. Any change to this policy would be a matter for the Coalition Party Room.
My personal opinion is to support the existing definition of marriage.
Though we disagree on this issue, I respect the views you have put forward.
Ongoing dialogue between government and citizens keeps our democracy strong.
Thank you again for writing to me.
Yours sincerely
Tony Abbott”

This generation

He spoke nothing but the truth, especially when he said "You were elected to represent our country, not yourself." We need a referendum and end this nonsense once and for all.

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/gay...-1226951950018

LovingYourCareer

Good job.

Hugamari

I was more surprised by the classy way Tony responded...not that I agree with it.

pxxxtrick

Lazerbeamz

Not the prime minister's response being a bland and "in-your-face" NO.

SlayingOnTheEarth

I saw this on Facebook and the majority of the top comments by Australians [that other Australians had upvoted] were disgusting

Thought Australia was more open minded than this

The last comment slays though. That needs to be the first, but it's the fifth and the ones further down aren't much better

ReginaPhalange

Quote:

Originally posted by Hug

I was more surprised by the classy way Tony responded...not that I agree with it.

You mean the prepared generic response he just signed off on? I think it's disgraceful, the leader of our country should be more involved and in touch with the citizens of the country he runs

gloamingtheplain

So basically he doesn't want his own sister to be happy. What a great guy.

ReginaPhalange

Quote:

Originally posted by SlayingOnTheEarth

I saw this on Facebook and the majority of the top comments by Australians [that other Australians had upvoted] were disgusting

Thought Australia was more open minded than this

The last comment slays though. That needs to be the first, but it's the fifth and the ones further down aren't much better

Richard needs to sit. Abbott wasn't voted in, Labor was voted out. It wouldn't have matter who the opposition was, Labor was so offside with the public they were gone regardless. He got in by default.

MusicTalker

I love when kids clock an adult for their ignorance.

Mister Martian

Quote:

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?

I don't think that's what the PMs doing... but this statement is very valid in America.

Boop

Quote:

Originally posted by SlayingOnTheEarth

I saw this on Facebook and the majority of the top comments by Australians [that other Australians had upvoted] were disgusting

Thought Australia was more open minded than this

The last comment slays though. That needs to be the first, but it's the fifth and the ones further down aren't much better

Oh, it's the same everywhere?
I thought only italians were disgusting.

Boop

And I love the "I'd rather have this or I'd rather do that" comments

as if the are able to do just one thing.

People are so pathetic.

ReginaPhalange

Quote:

Originally posted by Boop

And I love the "I'd rather have this or I'd rather do that" comments

as if the are able to do just one thing.

People are so pathetic.

redneck Aussies can only think one step at a time

Summertime Love

Well Done

DevonDreams

How are we sure he wrote this?

ReginaPhalange

Quote:

Originally posted by DevonRoars

How are we sure he wrote this?

http://youtu.be/Esmr-hOHFpM

MaRy

I heard Australia and New Zealand are very mucho and homophobic is that true?

Reader

Quote:

Originally posted by MaRy

I heard Australia and New Zealand are very mucho and homophobic is that true?

Aussie men are macho yeah.

But srsly yes, they are generally quite conservative compared to Europe.

This little boy

ReginaPhalange

Quote:

Originally posted by MaRy

I heard Australia and New Zealand are very mucho and homophobic is that true?

Every country has pockets of homophobic people, Australia is no different. More than 2/3 support gay marriage here so I would say overall most people are accepting and tolerant of gays. The older generation and redneck Aussies are the ones that disapprove