WORLD champion axeman David Foster may not be a likely poster boy for gay rights.
However, these days the prominent North-West Tasmanian is just as happy to be championing same-sex marriage as he is woodchopping.
The reason? His daughter Sally, her partner Lily and their daughter Wren, who soon turns one.
Foster will speak on Tuesday in support of same-sex marriage at a forum in Hobart – something he admits would not have happened before Sally sat down with him and his wife Jan four years ago.
“I think she (Sally) didn’t want to (come out) earlier, because I was a bit anti-that and maybe she didn’t want to upset me,” he said.
“She sat my wife and I down and said `I want to tell you something’ and that’s how we spoke as a family.”
The 54-year-old Latrobe resident said his close relationship with Sally had not changed as a result of that conversation, but his views had.
“Everyone has an opinion, but once it’s close to home you realise what’s important. My daughter is the same daughter I reared and just because her sexual preferences are different from mine doesn’t mean a thing,” he said.
“She is a nurse, she has a beautiful partner and a child and if they wish to get married, I can’t see why they can’t.”
…
The Greens already support same-sex marriage and, last month, the Tasmanian ALP voted in favour of law reform.
Read the rest in The Examiner HERE
• DAVID FOSTER SHOWS COMPASSION AND LEADERSHIP
Nick McKim MP
Tasmanian Greens Leader
The Tasmanian Greens Leader Nick McKim MP has praised Tasmania’s champion axeman David Foster for his compassionate stance on the issue of gay marriage.
“David Foster has once again shown he’s a man of huge heart who’s prepared to stand up for what he believes in,” Mr McKim said.
“David’s support for marriage equality is a reminder that this issue is not about political grandstanding or moral preaching, but about the simple, everyday love of a family.”
Mr McKim will speak alongside Mr Foster at a forum on marriage equality in Hobart on Tuesday next week.
“Just by sharing the story of his daughter Sally, he’ll be giving hope to the thousands of gay couples in the Tasmanian community who simply want the same recognition that everyone else is entitled to.”
“The Foster family’s story shows just how far the Tasmanian community has progressed on this issue since the days when we had a reputation as the most intolerant place in the country.”
“The Greens believe that same-sex marriage reform is needed as a step toward full equality in the community, and we know most Tasmanians agree.”
“We are hoping that the Federal Government moves to legislate on this issue soon, but if that doesn’t happen, the Greens have a package of cognate Bills currently tabled in Parliament and we will bring them on for debate should the Federal Parliament fail to act.”
• Rodney Croome, TGLRG:
TASMANIAN GAY AND LESBIAN RIGHTS GROUP
Media Release
Friday September 9th 2011
PRAISE FOR DAVID FOSTER’S SUPPORT FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Tasmanian gay activists have praised Tasmania’s world champion axeman, David Foster, for supporting the right of same-sex couples to marry.
Mr Foster has told the Launceston Examiner his opinion on the issue shifted after his daughter, who is raising a child with her same-sex partner, came out to him four years ago.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said Foster’s support is a reminder the issue is about love and family, not politics.
“David Foster’s support for allowing same-sex couples to marry is a reminder that this issue is not about political, religious or moral disputes, but about the things we all value like love, commitment and family”, Mr Croome said.
“Same-sex couples want to marry for all the same reasons as other couples, including to provide a more secure and stable environment for our children.”
Mr Croome said Mr Foster’s change of heart on marriage equality is indicative of how much Tasmania has changed since it was the last state to decriminalise homosexuality in 1997.
“Tasmania was the first state with a civil union scheme, the first to recognise overseas same-sex marriages, and polls now show support for marriage equality is higher in Tasmania than elsewhere.”
“Given the relatively high level of support for marriage equality in Tasmania, David Foster’ support for the issue means he is continuing his role as an ambassador for the state.”
Mr Croome will speak at a marriage equality forum in Hobart next Tuesday alongside Mr Foster and other equality supporters including former Liberal Party advisor and Mercury columnist, Greg Barnes.
For the front page Examiner report go to:
http://www.examiner.com.au/news/local/news/general/why-foster-backs-gay-marriage/2286030.aspx
For details of the forum go to:
http://www.australianmarriageequality.com/wp/tasmanians4equality/
