Sister’s sexuality won’t budge Abbott’s gay marriage stance

AUSTRALIA: Opposition leader Tony Abbott remains defiant in his stance against gay marriage despite his sister coming out as a lesbian.

Abbott’s sister, Christine Forster, 47, has revealed she is in a relationship with partner Virginia Edwards.

‘‘I have decided to publicly confirm that I am gay and am in a committed, live-in relationship with Virginia,’’ Forster said.

Forster has been previously married and has four children.

She has tried to convince Abbott to change his mind about same-sex marriage.

Abbott has hailed his sister’s bravery for coming out but says it will not shift his view.

‘‘We’ve had a lot of interesting discussions and we’ll keep those discussions going but fundamentally I want to be a politician who keeps my commitments,’’ he said.

‘‘We went into the election with a position and, as far as I’m concerned, that’s the position we will keep.’’

Abbott has known about his sister’s relationship for four years and respects her choice. ‘‘I think she’s handled it with courage and authenticity.’’

Gay marriage advocates were hopeful Forster’s story would soften Abbott’s stance.

An Australian Marriage Equality spokesman, Alex Greenwich, said Abbott had responded to his sister with respect and love.

‘‘Advocacy from loved ones is by far the most effective way of chang- ing hearts and minds,’’ he said.

‘‘Ms Forster proves the point that this reform is about the importance of family, love, and equality, not politics.’’

Carl Katter, gay half-brother of Independent Queensland MP Bob Katter, has also campaigned publicly in support of gay marriage.

NSW Opposition leader John Robertson, who has a gay son and supports gay marriage, says Abbott’s stance is his personal matter.

Robertson said MPS should be given a conscience vote on the issue of gay marriage.

‘‘It is something that people feel very strongly about on both sides of this argument,’’ he said.

Liberal frontbencher George Brandis defended the coalition’s reluctance to grant a conscience vote on the issue.

‘‘I think it’s very important that promises be kept,’’ he said.

‘‘We respect the old-fashioned notion that if you say something at election time you are bound by it.’’

Photo: REUTERS On Good Friday: An actor dressed as Jesus Christ is taken to the cross in a re-enactment of Jesus’ crucifixion on Good Friday in Caracas’ biggest slum of Petare, in Venezuela.

Photo: REUTERS Sticking to stance: Australian Opposition leader Tony Abbott is opposed to gay marriage despite having a sister who has come out as a lesbian.