Concerns over LGBT rights

ONE of the leading campaigners for marriage equality in Toowoomba has labelled the prospect of David van Gend being selected as the LNP’s candidate for Groom as terrifying for the local LGBT community.

Thomas Coyne, who is also The Greens candidate for Toowoomba South at the upcoming state election, led the local YES campaign during the 2017 postal survey.

“David van Gend’s views are out of touch, offensive and do not belong in parliament in 2020, but in 1820,” he said.

“David’s views on women, people of colour and LGBT people are terrifying for people like me who are in his crosshairs.

“I was proud to stand up and fight for the rights of LGBT Australians, and it’s sad to think that David could roll it all back.”

In the past two weeks David van Gend has emerged as one of the front runners for LNP preselection for the seat.

The seat is one of the safest Coalition seats in the country, so whoever the LNP selects as the candidate is expected to easily win it at the November 28 by-election.

Dr van Gend is a controversial figure, and in the past has linked children of same-sex families to the stolen generation and said people could just stop being gay.

He has also spoken in support of gay conversion therapy.

“I call on the LNP to denounce David’s radical views and commit to not select him,” Mr Coyne said.

New South Wales-based MP Dave Sharma, who represents the Federal seat of Wentworth, told the ABC Dr van Gend’s views were not ones he shared or endorsed.

“I absolutely have no time or sympathy for gay conversion therapy or anything like that. I am resolutely opposed to those ideas.

“Let’s see who the candidate that LNP members select is and then have an argument about whether those views are appropriate or not.”

Dr van Gend, who removed his Twitter account this week after renewed public interest in his views, has received endorsements from Federal Senator’s Eric Abetz and Matt Canavan.

The LNP will vote for the Groom candidate on Sunday.