Referenda on Moral Issues Harm Communities

"While a referendum on the Civil Union Bill might seem like a pragmatic way of resolving competing viewpoints, it would have damaging social consequences," said Rev Dr Margaret Mayman (spokesperson for Christians for Civil Unions) today, citing recent research.

"Recent research based on thirty USA studies has found that referenda about same sex marriage can affect the lives of both gay and lesbian and heterosexual people in adverse ways. While Civil Unions are distinct from marriage, and include both opposite sex and same sex couples, they have generated a similar degree of hostile and divisive rhetoric which makes us think the research is also applicable here," said Margaret Mayman.

The research found that referenda on same-sex marriage can lead to serious negative psychological consequences for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. They create high levels of psychological and social stress for many gay and lesbian individuals as well as for the children of lesbian and gay families. Studies have demonstrated that these referenda on this issue can lead to increased anxiety, depression, alienation, and isolation.

"However, the negative implications are not limited to people in same-sex relationships.

"The political fights tend to reinvigorate old stereotypes and lead to deep divisions within families, churches, and communities. Voting on rights for minority groups tends to increase prejudices that divide communities. The US research indicates that society may pay a heavy social price for putting the rights of any group up for a vote," said Antony McFelin, counselor and former Catholic priest.

Christians for Civil Unions believes that parliament should pass the Civil Union Bill this week and the Relationships (Statutory References) Bill early next year and allow all New Zealanders to move into a future of tolerance, compassion, and celebration of relationships that are mutual, committed and life-giving.

Reference: The Dangers of a Same-Sex Marriage Referendum for Community and Individual Well-Being," Institute for Gay and Lesbian Strategic Studies P.O. Box 2603 Amherst, MA 01004 413-557-0145 www.iglss.org

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>