Howard labels same sex activists “minority fundamentists”
The Gay, Lesbian and Queer communities have hit back at comments made by Prime Minister John Howard that the campaign for relationship equality for same-sex couples amounts to nothing more than “minority fundamentalism”. Mr Howard made the comments whilst visiting in Ireland, in response to claims that he was entrenching homophobia in Australia. He also claimed that the Government had remedied much of the financial discrimination faced by same-sex couples. His comments come at a time when the human rights commission is investigating financial discrimination against same-sex couples. While gay marriage or civil unions are recognized in Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, New Zealand ? and are being contemplated in South Africa and Ireland ? the Federal government has passed legislation specifically banning it in Australia. This report by Erica Vowles begins with comments by David Scamell, the co-convenor of the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby.