This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jul/15/gay-rights-australia-loree-rudd

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
What is this 'gay agenda' which Kevin Rudd's sister is so afraid of? What is this 'gay agenda' which Kevin Rudd's sister is so afraid of?
(2 months later)
We often hear terms like “gay agenda” or “gay propaganda” thrown about in public discussions about the recognition of same-sex relationships. As someone who revels in being both gay and organised, the notion of a “Gay Agenda” (capitalised here on purpose) seems to me a quite promising one.We often hear terms like “gay agenda” or “gay propaganda” thrown about in public discussions about the recognition of same-sex relationships. As someone who revels in being both gay and organised, the notion of a “Gay Agenda” (capitalised here on purpose) seems to me a quite promising one.
My fantasies aside, though, what exactly does the term mean – and why are people so invested in using it?My fantasies aside, though, what exactly does the term mean – and why are people so invested in using it?
Loree Rudd, our prime minister’s sister, recently offered one response when she referred to recent Russian laws prohibiting public manifestations of “gay propaganda”:Loree Rudd, our prime minister’s sister, recently offered one response when she referred to recent Russian laws prohibiting public manifestations of “gay propaganda”:
I think that there should be a law (in Australia) protecting children from the propaganda of homosexuality as normal. They're trying to build their family life and structure in Russia and people in the west don't seem to understand our family life and structures are breaking down.I think that there should be a law (in Australia) protecting children from the propaganda of homosexuality as normal. They're trying to build their family life and structure in Russia and people in the west don't seem to understand our family life and structures are breaking down.
In other words, Rudd sees the Gay Agenda as an impending threat to the “normal family". Homosexuality, apparently, tears away at our basic moral and social fabrics. In fact, so vigorous is this “gay Gestapo” (her words, which she continually refuses to apologise for) that we must protect children by banishing any mention of homosexuality from public discourse.In other words, Rudd sees the Gay Agenda as an impending threat to the “normal family". Homosexuality, apparently, tears away at our basic moral and social fabrics. In fact, so vigorous is this “gay Gestapo” (her words, which she continually refuses to apologise for) that we must protect children by banishing any mention of homosexuality from public discourse.
Rudd’s comments could easily be turned into the subject of satire – her comments, after all, read like something one might find in The Onion. Sadly, the rhetoric that homosexuality is sinful, perverse, or immoral remains a pervasive reality; it is not something we can ignore or dismiss.Rudd’s comments could easily be turned into the subject of satire – her comments, after all, read like something one might find in The Onion. Sadly, the rhetoric that homosexuality is sinful, perverse, or immoral remains a pervasive reality; it is not something we can ignore or dismiss.
Whether you think people who are gay are “born this way” or “choose” it, our sexual orientation is a fundamental part of our conscience. No one should be forced, coerced or shamed into changing who they are (much like our religious beliefs). With the preponderance of “ex-gay therapies” and the persisting legislative discrimination, we are far from recognising the basic civil rights of gay people.Whether you think people who are gay are “born this way” or “choose” it, our sexual orientation is a fundamental part of our conscience. No one should be forced, coerced or shamed into changing who they are (much like our religious beliefs). With the preponderance of “ex-gay therapies” and the persisting legislative discrimination, we are far from recognising the basic civil rights of gay people.
With this in mind, the Gay Agenda becomes less about indoctrination, and more about social recognition.With this in mind, the Gay Agenda becomes less about indoctrination, and more about social recognition.
And recognition demands visibility. Visibility comes in acknowledging same-sex relationships in schools, or legislating specific anti-discrimination protections. In the words of poet Lord Alfred Douglas, the “love that dare not speak its name” should no longer be confined to a place of secrecy or silence. Which is why the Gay Agenda is so important.And recognition demands visibility. Visibility comes in acknowledging same-sex relationships in schools, or legislating specific anti-discrimination protections. In the words of poet Lord Alfred Douglas, the “love that dare not speak its name” should no longer be confined to a place of secrecy or silence. Which is why the Gay Agenda is so important.
In the national 2010 study Writing Themselves In 3, over 60% of same-sex attracted and gender questioning young people continued to experience some form of verbal abuse – most of it in schools. What makes these figures startling is that not only do they represent an increase from previous years, but they also highlighted a lack of specific school programs to address the issue.In the national 2010 study Writing Themselves In 3, over 60% of same-sex attracted and gender questioning young people continued to experience some form of verbal abuse – most of it in schools. What makes these figures startling is that not only do they represent an increase from previous years, but they also highlighted a lack of specific school programs to address the issue.
The recently drafted federal health and physical education curriculum, for example, focuses on “reproductive health and wellbeing” – ignoring same-sex sexual practices and associated issues. Discussing non-reproductive sex, then, is supposedly less about indoctrinating children, and more about "ensuring better public health". And with the persisting stigmas surrounding non-heterosexuality or gender non-conformity, it is little surprise that poor mental health remains a systemic problem.The recently drafted federal health and physical education curriculum, for example, focuses on “reproductive health and wellbeing” – ignoring same-sex sexual practices and associated issues. Discussing non-reproductive sex, then, is supposedly less about indoctrinating children, and more about "ensuring better public health". And with the persisting stigmas surrounding non-heterosexuality or gender non-conformity, it is little surprise that poor mental health remains a systemic problem.
Change, however, is happening. A number of promising policy initiatives like the Proud Schools Program in NSW and Safe Schools Coalition in Victoria have been established. While still largely in their infancy, these programs not only target the symptoms of homophobic bullying, but address the underlying prejudices that facilitate it.Change, however, is happening. A number of promising policy initiatives like the Proud Schools Program in NSW and Safe Schools Coalition in Victoria have been established. While still largely in their infancy, these programs not only target the symptoms of homophobic bullying, but address the underlying prejudices that facilitate it.
Despite the evidence-based success for these programs, conservative commentators like Miranda Devine took to the widely read Daily Telegraph's front page to denounce the “thought police telling kids that heterosexuality is not the norm.” From media to politics, our current minister for mental health and social inclusion, Jacinta Collins, once referred to marriage equality as a “distraction” and that we should focus on fostering “stable, biological parenting” as a “social norm.”Despite the evidence-based success for these programs, conservative commentators like Miranda Devine took to the widely read Daily Telegraph's front page to denounce the “thought police telling kids that heterosexuality is not the norm.” From media to politics, our current minister for mental health and social inclusion, Jacinta Collins, once referred to marriage equality as a “distraction” and that we should focus on fostering “stable, biological parenting” as a “social norm.”
If we pursued Devine and Collins’ arguments to their logical conclusions, homosexuality would return to the auspices of the closet: it would be privatised, turned into a personal practice that we would tolerate so long as it did not not disturb the heterosexual social order.If we pursued Devine and Collins’ arguments to their logical conclusions, homosexuality would return to the auspices of the closet: it would be privatised, turned into a personal practice that we would tolerate so long as it did not not disturb the heterosexual social order.
While we often like to lecture places like Uganda or Russia on their punitive “gay propaganda” laws, the rhetoric that circulates in Australia seems rather conducive to the very laws we want to repudiate. Rudd’s rhetoric does not shy away from the evangelising statements used in Uganda’s recent attempt to further criminalise same-sex relationships.While we often like to lecture places like Uganda or Russia on their punitive “gay propaganda” laws, the rhetoric that circulates in Australia seems rather conducive to the very laws we want to repudiate. Rudd’s rhetoric does not shy away from the evangelising statements used in Uganda’s recent attempt to further criminalise same-sex relationships.
The Gay Agenda is an elusive concept. For some, it represents a threat to humanity. For others, it is a rich source of comedy. For those still seeking recognition and acceptance, the Gay Agenda is really quite simple: promoting respect for human dignity. The Gay Agenda is an elusive concept. For some, it represents a threat to humanity. For others, it is a rich source of comedy. For those still seeking recognition and acceptance, the Gay Agenda is really quite simple: promoting respect for human dignity. 
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.