Thumbs up for Scot's gay stance

It comes as a poll conducted on armidaleexpress.com.au showed overwhelming support for the legalisation of same-sex marriage.

Mr MacDonald told The Express he had received many emails, calls and messages of support and encouragement, with only one email opposing his stance. The majority of emails came from the Northern Tablelands, with messages of support also coming from Melbourne and parts of Queensland.

“Some were very appreciative, some were appreciative and some were grateful,” he said. “I underestimated the interest in the issue. This has made me more comfortable with my position and I’ll be speaking in favour of the motion.”

On Wednesday, Mr MacDonald signalled his intention to vote in favour of a motion in the NSW Legislative Council calling on the Federal Government to change the Marriage Act to allow same-sex couples to wed. The vote, which was due to take place yesterday afternoon, was adjourned until next Thursday in order to allow more time to speak on the issue.

Mr MacDonald’s endorsement was welcomed by Australian Marriage Equality national convenor Alex Greenwich, who said the announcement would place pressure on the federal Coalition and independent MP Tony Windsor to reconsider their stance on the issue.

“I think it’s hugely significant, because it proves that Coalition MPs can and do support marriage equality,” he said. “The fact that he is an MP from rural and regional Australia also sends such a strong message to young GLBTI people in rural and regional Australia that their state representatives support them and support their right to be treated equally.”

Mr Greenwich said that, regardless of its out

come, the Upper House vote would have significant implications federally.

The Express’ website was also inundated with responses to the story, with more than 300 people voting in our poll on the issue. Some 81.6 per cent of respondents supported same-sex marriage, with only 13.2 per cent opposed.

There was little support for civil unions, with only 4.6 per cent voting in favour of them.

The comments submitted to the website were more mixed, with passionate responses both for and against same-sex marriage.

“Scot MacDonald will be remembered for being on the right side of history. Well done, you are a man we admire,” wrote ‘Phil and Sally’. “Gay marriage harms nobody and yet benefits those who choose it.”

But ‘Concerned Australian’ claimed that “support for further erosion of morals and ethics is not needed in our social structure and society”.

“It opens all the doors for further erosion of morals in our country, decisions based on the “I want” generation we live in,” they wrote.

While ‘Commonsense’ believed the term ‘marriage’ should only describe a union between a man and a woman, they thought “the solution is a legally binding contract between same sex couples that is not called ‘marriage’”.

“People in long term committed relationships should definitely be considered in the same way as those in a marriage.”