Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697641409063.pdf (Australia)
SUBMISSION on the Exposure Draft of the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill 201X to the Committee Secretary PO Box 6100, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600 Telephone: 02 6277 3228 Facsimile: 02 6277 5829 Email: samesex.marriage.sen@aph.gov.au by Jon & Susan Kirk We are writing because we DO NOT support the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill in any shape or form or ANY redefinition to marriage.

Marriage is between one man and one woman voluntarily entered into for life.
We have read the Exposure Draft and the Terms of Reference and we do not believe that the exemptions for ministers of religion and marriage celebrants is at all adequate to protect and safeguard our religious freedoms.

For example, there is no mention about the religious freedom of parents to teach their children about marriage.

In addition, in other countries where homosexual marriage has been legalised, no amount of legislation protects has protected individual’s religious freedoms.
Ordinary people have even lost their ability to have any say over what their children are taught on these subjects in school or the ability to withdraw their children from these classes.

Further freedom of thought, speech, religion and other freedoms are human rights.

When people exercise their right to speak up, they are exercising a fundamental human right, not an “exemption” to anti-discrimination laws.
This fundamental right applies to ALL people, not just ministers of religion so it is essential that as with any basic human right, it must be protected for everyone not just ministers of religion.

In addition, the Exposure Draft does not consider that not all objections to same-sex marriage are for “religious” reasons.

The Exposure Draft does not address how any same-sex marriage laws would restrict and encroach on our freedoms.
What about the negative effects it would bring to our education, the de-gendering of society, the increased pressure for commercial surrogacy and so much more?

It is impossible to address all the negative repercussions from passing such a law through more amendments in the Bill.

Please understand that this Bill by providing “exemptions” for religious beliefs WILL NOT address these concerns.

It is imperative that these fundamental institutions and the rights of all humans to object and refuse.
It is blatantly obvious that countries that have legalised same-sex marriage religious freedom and free speech are met with increasing restrictions when marriage laws are changed.

In countries where marriage has been redefined, ordinary people have lost their jobs, had their businesses sued, lost their livelihoods and faced jail time for simply disagreeing with same-sex marriage.
The only sure way to ensure our freedoms and beliefs of all Australian people are protected is to ensure that marriage is NOT redefined.

Please do not support the Marriage The Commonwealth Government’s exposure draft of the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) BillSubmission 159 Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill.

It will only be detrimental to us as as a people and a nation.
We ask the Government keep its promise for a plebiscite on marriage along with fair debating as there is so much negative influence through the media even now that many people are afraid to speak up.

In addition, we would like to remind you of a few things… those who are in a same-sex relationship themselves have admitted that it is not the same as 'marriage' and are even against such legislation as it is really about dissolving the meaning of marriage.
You can read about one such case at www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2013/03/9432/ written by Doug Mainwaring "I'm Gay and I Oppose Same-Sex Marriage".

In his conclusion he says, "Marriage is not an elastic term.

It is immutable.

It offers the very best for children and society.

We should not adulterate nor mutilate its definition, thereby denying its riches to current and future generations."
We DO NOT in any way support the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill and we implore you likewise to NOT in any way support this Bill.

Thank you for your consideration in relation to this very important matter.

The Commonwealth Government’s exposure draft of the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) BillSubmission 159