GAY LOBBY DISGUSTED BY RELIGIOUS PICKET OF BUSHFIRE VICTIMS

MEDIA RELEASE: GAY LOBBY DISGUSTED BY RELIGIOUS PICKET OF BUSHFIRE VICTIMS
From:
josken_at_zipworld_com_au
Date:
Sat, February 21, 2009 11:48 am


Forwarded by: Lesbian and Gay Solidarity, Melbourne(Mannie De Saxe and Ken Lovett)--------Subject: FW: MEDIA RELEASE: GAY LOBBY DISGUSTED BY RELIGIOUS PICKET OFBUSHFIRE VICTIMSFrom: "J A Harrison" <harrisonja_at_bigpond_com>Date: Sat, February 21, 2009 7:52 amTo: josken_at_zip_com_au----------------------------------------------------------Please circulate._____
GAY LOBBY DISGUSTED BY RELIGIOUS PICKET OF BUSHFIRE VICTIMS
Calls on Government to 'fast-track' Federal anti-discrimination legislation
MEDIA RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
21 FEBRUARY 2009

The Australian Coalition for Equality (ACE) today expressed its disgust that a picket line will be outside this Sunday's Bushfire Memorial Service. US based Westboro Baptist Church have sent a contingent to Melbourne to picket against Australian "national sins" including a tolerance for gays & lesbians.

ACE media spokesperson Corey Irlam says "Australians respect the idea of freedom of speech. However the suggestion homosexuals are responsible for the Victorian bushfires is downright disgusting."The gay & lesbian community are mourning with the nation over the Victorianfires. What does this kind of unnecessary psychological pain will this picket cause as people walk into the memorial on Sunday?"

ACE has received good advice that the Westboro Baptist Church contingency will arrive in Australia over the next 24-hours. It is unclear if Immigration Officials will refuse them entry, as was announced this week regarding the Church's planned protest in the United Kingdom.

Renewed calls for Federal Anti-Discrimination laws. The Australian Coalition for Equality renewed calls on Prime Minister Rudd to honour his ALP Policy and introduce Federal anti-discrimination during this Parliamentary term."Immigration rules may be able to stop hate-mongers like this from entering Australia, but it doesn't protect gay & lesbian Australians from expressions of hate like this by any other Australians."

"Without Federal anti-discrimination laws, it sends a clear message to these extremist groups that they can target gay & lesbian Australians without fearof reprimand." Said Mr Irlam.

For further information contact: Corey Irlam 0401 738 996 or Rod Swift on 0417 890 111

Westboro Baptist Church Media Release:http://www.godhatesfags.com/written/fliers/20090216_australia-national-memorial-service.pdf Westboro Baptist Church News Video titled "Thank God for Australian wildfires! God Hates Australia!":http://www.godhatestheworld.com/australia/index.html