SSM Plebiscite

[mateinone]

I was once for same sex marriage, I mean why not? I do believe that everyone should have the same rights
Then I became apathetic to it..
My stance was, if all the rights are the same (and those that are not, should be), then it isn't something I honestly care about that much.

Now, I won't be voting, but I am firmly in a camp where the reason is that I will not vote for the bullying I see against those who voice an opinion against. I am also absolutely against the poll in the first place..
So I will be abstaining.

Let's be clear here...
I am all for people living their lives with the person of their choice, regardless of race, religion or sex.
I am all for all people who commit to each other in a long term heterosexual or homosexual relationship (ie defacto) having the same rights as those who are married. In fact my mother and my step father are not married after 27 years together and I don't believe there is any way that the law sees them differently (and if there is, there shouldn't be) and certainly nobody in our family consider them any less 'whole' than if they were married.
I also don't believe in any religion, but I am all for allowing people religious freedom and you can bet there are many people who are against because they have firmly held religious beliefs that tell them marriage is a union between man & woman. I am firmly in the belief they should be able to hold this opinion without being ostracised for it.
I am also all for any other reason that people want to vote against as long as those reasons don't extend to hate.

To be fair, I am not actually even a fan of marriage (tried it for 17 days, didn't like it  :o  ), but that is my choice and I do understand the argument that those in a same sex relationship don't get the choice.

I believe this poll will conclusively show that Australian's want there to be same sex marriage and will force the government to make a decision, but it should never have come to this and people should not be subjected to abuse for their opinion.

I read just yesterday how one of the mother's in the ad against same sex marriage had seen a petition go up suggesting that she should be deregistered by the AMA, thankfully the platform removed it. That is utterly ridiculous and whilst I won't be voting against, as I am not actually against, these people (the ones doing the bullying) are the reasons I won't be voting for.

And the government has a lot to answer for in this regard. It is ridiculous that they will not just tackle this issue head on. It is obvious that this year or next or in 2 years or 5 years time all couples will be able to be married, so the government should make it happen now and save the tax dollars. Rather than subject the nation to this unbinding ridiculous poll. If they are firmly against it themselves, then have the balls to state their reasons and stand by them. If that sees them outed at the next election, well they stood by their principles. If it doesn't, then okay also... but don't pass the buck!! Perhaps Turnbull can borrow the old Harry Truman sign for his desk.

Just as a footnote:
IF this poll doesn't go as planned, it will be the Donald Trump vote that does it.
It will be those who are pissed off at being told how they MUST vote and not being allowed to come to that decision on their own. I don't think it will come to that, but it is an outside possibility.