SA - Same-sex parenting Inquiry

The South Australian Parliament's 'Social Development Committee' (in the Legislative Council) is reviewing same-sex parenting - probably because there is an active homosexual, Ian Hunter, in the Labor Government pushing to normalise homosexuality. In fact he is the 'Presiding Member' (Chairman) of this Committee!  

They are asking for submissions to their Inquiry...

We need to respond - there is no need to answer every point of the Inquiry - a simple letter, stating this is your submission, is adequate.
We understand that the homosexual community have been busy making submissions but not too many people have written to the Committee opposing the ideas being considered. 
The Committee needs to hear the other side!  
Please write polite, well-argued submissions to the Inquiry.

We would ask all our SA readers to respond to this Inquiry and to pass this on to like-minded friends, as well as churches, and encourage them to respond as well.  
Point out that (use a few points in your own words) 

• homosexual / same-sex relationships are not in the best interests of children. 
• that all 'unbiased' social research shows that children do best when raised by their biological mother and father.
• whilst we don't agree with IVF at all, we need to say that children born through IVF/surrogacy - especially where donor material is used - already have big hurdles to overcome, being raised by two women or two men greatly increases the difficulties that these children face.
• there is no evidence that normalising homosexuality is of any benefit to society.
• encouraging marriage between a man and a woman is of proven value to society - endorsing same-sex unions in any way will always undermine marriage and therefore society as a whole.
• homosexual sex is highly dangerous and a cause of most (around 80%) of all HIV/AIDS cases in Australia. Normalising homosexual sex and relationships will increase the rate of infection and therefore increase the huge health related cost to the community.
• there is NO evidence that people are born with a same-sex attraction - living in a homosexual relationship is a lifestyle choice. There is NO good reason for society to endorse such a lifestyle.
• point out that same-sex attracted people make up less than 2% of Australian adults.
  In the 2003 'Sex in Australia' survey of 20,000 Australians, carried out by La Trobe University, 1.2% of adults identify as homosexual or lesbian. Less than 1.15% identified as bisexual.  Only a small percentage of these people ever consider having children.

There is a great deal of information about homosexuality on our web site  

Details of the Inquiry

Pursuant to section 16(1)(c) of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991 the Social Development Committee is undertaking an inquiry into Same-sex Parenting with particular reference to:
a.The number of same sex couples and same-sex attracted individuals living in South Australia who are parents or aspire to parenthood;
b.The experiences of same-sex parents and their children and the social challenges faced by them;
c.The legal status of children born to same-sex parents and issues relating to the legal recognition of non-biological parents;
d.The current laws that govern eligibility for adoption, assisted reproductive technology (including in-vitro fertilisation), surrogacy and foster caring in South Australia and their impact on same-sex couples;
e.The relationship between State and Federal legislation in recognising same-sex parents and their children;
f. The experience and regulation of interstate and overseas jurisdictions in addressing issues relating to same-sex parents and their children;
g.The possible measures that could be introduced to better deal with matters pertaining to same-sex parents and what, if any, legal complexities might arise from the consideration of such changes; and
h.Any other related matters.

Action

Written submissions (a letter is a submission) & requests to provide oral submissions should be forwarded to the Secretary, SDC, c/- Parliament House, North Tce, Adelaide 5000
or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Submissions due by Friday 16 July 2010.

Please direct any inquiries to the Secretary on telephone (08) 8237 9416 or by email.