给Newman的一封公开信

xblues

An open letter to Queensland Premier Campbell Newman
给Newman的一封公开信

Posted on 22 June 2012

Dear Premier Newman,

Today I am sitting at my computer in shock. I’m shocked to see the news that the recognition of homosexual civil unions has now be relegated to a mere “registration”, akin to registering a dog or a trailer for the car.
今天坐在计算机前的我很震惊，【同性民事结合】被降级成【注册】，听起来更像是注册一只狗，或者申报一辆汽车拖车。

Just under six months ago on the 30th of November, Queensland Parliament took clear affirmative action with the passage of the Civil Partnership Act 2011.
就在6个月以前的2011年11月30日，昆士兰议会通过了民事结合法案。

On its passage, then premier Anna Bligh stated, “This bill is fundamentally about the human rights of Queensland’s citizens, but it is much more than that. It is about the joyful business of love and that is why it has touched the hearts of so many Australians, why so many people believe that Australia should be dealing with this issue”.
前州长说：这个决议事关昆士兰人民的人权，但是更重要的是，这是对爱的关注，也是为什么他感动了很多澳洲人的心。也是为什么这么多澳洲人相信为什么澳洲政府需要关注这件事情（赋予同性伴侣结合的权利）。

All Australians should have the fundamental right to express their love, to express their devotion, and most importantly, to have access to the same rights under the law afforded to heterosexual couples Australia-wide.
所有澳洲人都应该有同样的基本权利去表达他们的爱情，更重要的是要赋予同性伴侣和异性伴侣同样的权利。

The dilution of the Civil Partnership Act from a strong affirmation of equality for homosexuals to a tokenistic concession is saddening. Most distressing to me is the constant press attention highlighting that this action happened reactively to appease Christian lobby groups.
给同性伴侣的结合降级让人很沮丧，更加让人绝望的是之所以这么做的原因竟然是：为了照顾基督教团体的感情。

This sickens me to the core on so many levels, not the least that I am the direct descendant of William Forgan Smith, premier of Queensland from 1932 to 1942, a man noted for his devotion to all citizens of Queensland.
我件事情令我很恶心，我是昆士兰州长Forgan Smith的后代，他曾经为了昆士兰奋斗过。Forgan Smith 一向以团结为主，以昆士兰人民的利益为核心。他从不试图去迎合极端宗教主义，他一直力图让昆士兰有发展。

While history has noted Premier Forgan Smith introduced some controversial legislation, his actions were always from a position of ensuring the best for his constituents and Queensland as a whole. He did not bow to the pressures of fundamentalism; his aim was to make Queensland the leading state of Australia.

After his resignation, he left a strong legacy. The Story Bridge, Somerset Dam and the upgrade of Mackay’s harbour are all examples of the long-lasting impact his premiership had on Queensland.

His involvement in the nurturing of the University of Queensland helped ensure schools of dentistry, veterinary science and medicine placed Queensland as a leader in education. I am proud to say I graduated from this very university.

Indeed I have sat in many lectures in the Forgan Smith building, proud to know that my great-grandfather was the driving force behind the creation of a coordinated Queensland health system.

Premier Newman, what, may I ask, will be your legacy?

Is it your destiny to forge change in your state that will be present for centuries to come? Or will your record include sad examples of discrimination and subjugation of particular members of your state after being lobbied by interest groups better aligned to your next election?

Mr Newman, I am sad to say I will never return to Queensland under your reign. As long as my brothers and sisters are treated no better than a pet or a head of cattle, I can never return to Queensland.

I urge you to take a stand on your own feet. Not a wonky platform hobbled together by factions using you as their spokesperson for homophobic values. The action of the Queensland Government has been a stab in the heart for me and for many of my non-heterosexual peers.

Listen to your heart, listen to your citizens and remember that homosexuals also vote.