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Vicar's Musings for Ordinary Sunday 3211 November, 2012 Attitudes are undoubtedly changing in Western Society. President Obama has been open in his support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and has been convincingly re-elected. A Marriage Amendment Bill recently passed its first reading in the New Zealand Parliament by a firm majority of 80 votes to 40. Canada has legislated for gay marriage since 2005 and the Episcopal Church in the USA has taken a stand on gay bishops and same-sex blessings. On another front altogether, this week in the finale of the reality TV series "Big Brother" the winner, Benjamin, got down on his knees and proposed to his partner, also called Ben, to the delight of the audience. As Bishop Gene Robinson said in his moving Gay Pride Day sermon: "rejoice with us ... something huge has happened in the last 40 years ... the full rights of LGBT people is about justice" (Click for details). But justice is not yet done here in Australia. Our Prime Minister will not support parliamentary changes to the Marriage Act. Our Anglican Church has not yet followed the courageous lead of The Episcopal Church. Attitudes still need to change. This evening the group Changing Attitude Australia will hold its AGM in the hall at St Peter's Eastern Hill, following our 5pm Evening Prayer and Benediction. We are a member church of this organisation, and I would encourage you to come along to the meeting and lend your support to this important cause.
The Rev'd Dr Hugh Kempster |
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