Compassion

I'm a grandfather, too, Bruce Ronalds ("Need For Reason" Gazette 8/9), and I too, have read many books to my grandchildren, as well as countless numbers in my 45 years as a primary school teacher.

However it has never occurred to me to base my beliefs on same sex marriage on any of them.

You claim you have not seen one reasoned argument from 'yes' supporters, despite the many that have been presented and supported by the majority of our community.

It is hard to convince one who has a closed mind, but try this.

I have taught tens of thousands of children, a significant proportion of whom are undoubtedly gay. If I can do anything now to promote their psychological well being and help to alleviate the alarming and absolutely tragic suicide rate among the gay community, then I will determinedly do it. How about you, Bruce - any interest there?

This is substance, Bruce - not using furphies as arguments - such as the effects on children. Gay people already have children, and in the future will continue, or not, to do so. A marriage certificate will not affect this.

Do children fare better with a father and a mother? I have taught children from all sorts of family situations, including single parents, heterosexual and homosexual relationships. Dysfunction has no particular claim on any situation. If you disagree please provide evidence.

As for the claim that marriage is about children, Janet, Wendy and Helen, I'm just not sure how you tell the countless married but childless couples, by choice or otherwise, that their marriage lacks validity.

Why should you vote yes, Bruce? In one word: ‘compassion.' I've read lots of children's books on this topic. John Duck, Trafalgar