John & Lisa Madden
Freedom 2 b[e] 2011 Special Recognition
Coming up to the recent NSW state election Christian Democratic Party candidate Peter Madden release a video on Youtube calling Christians to action and that the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade should be shut down. His statements were unsubstantiated, ill-informed and derogatory.
Amongst other things Peter Madden said “The Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is live pornography and a flagrant and militant promotion of sexual immorality. On Mardi Gras night Hyde Park is strewn with the bodies of drunken teenagers…when there is violence in the streets. In short, it is anarchy right here in the centre of our city, and the Mardi Gras organisers and militant homosexual lobby would have us believe that this behaviour is ‘acceptable.”
Further misquotes about the gay and lesbian people recruiting and that the life expectancy of a male homosexual is 20 -25 years less than heterosexual males…..were nothing more than lies.
Peters main problem it seems is that he doesn’t actually know any gay and lesbian people personally.
After reading an open letter I’d written to Peter requesting an apology for his statements John Madden, his brother, contacted me saying how upset he was by his brothers statements and that he would like to apologise on behalf of the family. And would it be okay if he marched with Freedom 2 b[e] in the parade to show his support.
John Madden said: I am so sorry that my brother’s recent unfair and ignorant comments about gay and lesbian people and the Mardi Gras parade have hurt and angered so many. We thought we had moved on from this kind of behaviour in Australian society. Regrettably ignorance about homosexuality still exists in parts of our society. Particularly some parts of the Christian Church. I will march with Freedom 2 b[e] in the Mardi Gras parade and share directly in the celebration of a freedom that this community now enjoys. It wasn’t that long ago that this community had to hide ‘who they are’ to avoid unfair treatment and persecution. My hope of a country that gives full equality to all LGBT people would best be demonstrated by marching in the parade in support and out of respect for people’s right to choose and be who they are without prejudice and without judgement. This is what Australia is all about.
Over Mardi Gras weekend John and Lisa became very much a part of the Freedom 2 b[e] family attending our two events and joining us in the parade. So tonight we would like to present you with this award to say thanks from Freedom 2 b[e] and from the LGBT community.
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