No doubt on public sentiment

THE postal survey on same sex- marriage in Australia has recorded a majority yes vote in what will be a significant chapter in our history.

Our country isn’t partial to voting in the affirmative in national polls. You need only consider the fact there have been 44 referendums in Australia, only eight of which have been successful.

But yesterday the same- sex marriage plebiscite’s positive result was testament to the strength of public opinion in favour of gay marriage.

Locally our electorates of Herbert and Dawson both voted yes by 62.8 per cent and 55.1 per cent respectively.

Those results signal a significant change in attitudes, especially in Townsville, which was branded with an unfortunate reputation of being a homophobic city following a brutal past.

Before homosexuality was decriminalised in the 1980s, there are reports of police raids on unofficial “gay nights” and regular bashings of gays.

It was in 1999 that the Townsville branch of the Queensland AIDS Council was damaged in a homemade bomb attack. Unfortunately from the direst of circumstances comes the impetus and the city council of the day set about trying to make Townsville a safer place for homosexuals.

Yesterday’s result shows how far the city has come.

For those who voted no in the poll, it’s now time to accept that the majority want to allow this freedom to others. A democratic process has been followed and we must accept that.

The changes in attitude and conventions may be scary for many to understand.

But the referendum on same- sex marriage was not about Safe Schools, it was not about same- sex parents, it was about two people of the same sex committing to each other in the same way that is permitted of a man and woman.

Debate on the other issues are matters for another day. For now, it’s time to pass this legislation and move on.