Stolen Generation advocates are demanding an apology for comments made by Lyle Shelton on behalf of the Australian Christian Lobby yesterday. In response to Kevin Rudd’s new found support for marriage equality, the managing director suggested that same-sex marriage rights will create a second Stolen Generation.
Shelton argued that same-sex parenting will rob children of biological parenting, hence creating this second Stolen Generation.
Shelton initially discussed the issue on ABC news from parliament house, where he stated,
“Its very ironic that the man who apologised rightly to the stolen generations is now supporting public policy which sets up the opportunity for another stolen generation because of the use of technology to sever a child from its biological parents in order that same-sex couples can realise their desire to have children”.
Speaking to OUTinPerth, Pastor Ray Minniecon, CEO of Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation, a Stolen Generations Service for Indigenous men and their families, emphasised the invalidity of Sheldon’s comments.
“I just don’t like the comparison between Stolen Generation issues and how he would bring it into a completely different story. It’s a completely different history. This [the Stolen Generation] is more about cultural obstruction, about genocide, this has got nothing to do with his issues, and he’s pushing his own agenda.”
Australian Marriage Equality National Convenor, Rodney Croome, has also published comments by Pastor Minniecon regarding Shelton’s comments.
“The assimilation policy of forced removal of children from their homes and the subsequent abuse of those children is no way comparable to the desire of a loving couple to have a child and have their relationship recognized.
“It is disrespectful to the current Stolen Generations, their history and their families.
The Pastor also pointed the detriment that the comments had to the queer community, explaining that Shelton’s words were ‘dehumanising and demonising of gay couples and their desire for marriage and family.’
The Australian Christian Lobby has released a statement on behalf of Shelton, where he states,
“What Kevin Rudd has failed to consider is that marriage is a compound right to form a family. Marriage is not just an affectionate relationship between two people regardless of gender”.
Nadine Walker
