Julia Gillard gives the Australian Christian Lobby conference the flick!

Wow it’s about time this woman showed a bit of integrity. A little while back I wrote about how our Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, was going to be speaking at the Australian Christian Lobby’s National Conference. Needless to say the LGBTIQ was pretty ticked off, especially considering the PM has failed to attend any LGBTIQ events.

Anyways, the PM has accused the ACL managing director Jim Wallace of offensive comments when he compared gay marriage with the health risks of smoking.

“I think we’re going to owe smokers a big apology when the homosexual community’s own statistics for its health – which it presents when it wants more money for health – are that is has higher rates of drug taking, of suicide, it has the life of a male reduced by up to 20 years,” Wallace said  during a debate with Greens leader Christine Milne in Tasmania. He argued that gay people had a shorter life expectancy then smokers.

Today Ms Gillard explained why she has withdrawn from appearing at the conference, saying in a statement:

“There is a range of deeply held views in the community on the issue of same-sex marriage but it is the responsibility of all parties in this debate to be respectful and responsible in any public comments they make,”

“I believe yesterday’s comments by Jim Wallace were offensive. To compare the health effects of smoking cigarettes with the many struggles gay and lesbian Australians endure in contemporary society is heartless and wrong.

“Although everyone is entitled to their own view, these statements reiterated again today on behalf of ACL are totally unacceptable. In light of this, I believe my attendance at the conference would be inappropriate.”

Of course Jim Wallace is crying victim. No surprise there. In a statement today Mr Wallace once again attacked ‘gay activists’  claiming they had misrepresented his comments about smoking in a deliberate attempt to demonise and to shut down debate.

“I was not comparing homosexuality with smoking at all. What I was saying is that on one hand we are vocal on our discouragement of people to smoke and on the other we are suppressing public dialogue about the health risks associated with homosexuality,”

“Instead of more free speech-suppressing vitriol and demonisation from the gay activists, there needs to be an open and honest debate before Parliament changes the definition of marriage.”

Kinda funny considering all he does is demonise the LGBTIQ community.

Yes the LGBTIQ community has health problems just like any other community, but it needs to be said that a huge  part of that is a result of the psychological effects of  prejudice and discriminatory laws that people like Jim Wallace insist on constantly defending. Just say’n.

What are your thoughts?

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