An advertising campaign directed at convincing Australians to say ‘no’ to same sex marriage aired for the first time on Tuesday night.
Organised by Coalition for Marriage, the 30 second advertisement features three mothers who argue potential adverse affects on their children if the legislation is passed.
Cella White, who withdrew her children from a Victorian high school because of a transgender awareness program, appears as the first speaker.
The mother of four explains her concern at her son’s school telling him ‘he could wear a dress next year if he felt like it.’
Referring to LGBTIQ sex and gender education programs in schools, a second woman says ‘when same sex marriage passes as law overseas, this type of program become (sic) widespread and compulsory.’
An emotive song plays softly in the background before plain text saying: ‘in countries with gay marriage, parents have lost their right to choose,’ flashes on screen.
Cella White (pictured above) explained her concern at her son’s school telling him ‘he could wear a dress next year if he felt like it’
A third woman then expresses her worry of how ‘kids in Year 7 are being asked to role play being a same sex relationship.’
The advertisement finishes on the captions ‘we have a choice’ and ‘you can say no’.
Equality Campaign executive director Tiernan Brady has labelled the advertisement ‘disgraceful in its dishonesty’ news.com reports.
The second speaker (pictured above) says ‘when same sex marriage passes as law overseas, this type of program become (sic) widespread and compulsory’
‘The people behind this ad know that the Australian people are for allowing all Australians the right to marry so they want to desperately pretend this simple straightforward question is about something else,’ Mr Brady told the publication.
Coalition for Marriage spokeswoman Sophie York argued against ‘radical’ LGBTIQ sex and gender education programs becoming mandatory in primary schools, like they had in Canada and the UK, in a statement.
‘Every day across the country, on social media, in coffee shops, in mothers’ groups and at BBQs, hundreds of thousands of parents are speaking to each other about the impacts of radical LGBTIQ sex and gender education programs,’ Ms York said.
A third woman (pictured above) expresses her worry of how ‘kids in Year 7 are being asked to role play being a same sex relationship’
‘Millions of Australians are now concerned about the consequences of changing the Marriage Act.’
The campaign has won the support of the Australian Christian Lobby, which believes: ‘Changing the marriage law will have consequences for what is taught in our kids’ classroom.’
In an online post, the group wrote, ‘If same-sex marriage becomes law, parents will not have a leg to stand on if they don’t want their kids taught radical sex education, and gender ideologies.’
The advertisement is set to continue airing on national mainstream television networks and pay TV stations.
The campaign has won the support of the Australian Christian Lobby, which believes: ‘Changing the marriage law will have consequences for what is taught in our kids’ classroom’
There has been a diverse reaction to the ad on social media with some arguing it fails to address ‘real’ issues of same sex marriage, instead, making it a discussion about children and the Government’s Safe Schools program.
‘The strange thing is that the Same Sex Marriage vote has absolutely zero to do with children, yet our supposed Christian lobbyists have somehow made it about children,’ a Facebook user wrote.
Another agreed, writing: ‘What has the safe school programme got to do with the SSM debate?’.
The advertisement finishes on the captions ‘we have a choice’ and ‘you can say no’
A Twitter user accused the campaign of ‘scare mongering’ in schools, while another added how they didn’t think the ad was an accurate reflection of the beliefs of the majority of voters, calling it ‘humiliating.’
‘Sometimes I feel ashamed to call myself Australian,’ one disgruntled social media wrote.
Another pointed out the irony of the ad and its role in reminding viewers they have the option to be a ‘jerk’.
‘I love that the no campaign’s slogan is ‘You can say no’. Like, they know you shouldn’t but want you to know you can be a jerk if you want.’
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has slammed the ad, calling it ‘offensive and hurtful to LGBTI Australians and their families,’ the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
‘This is exactly what was predicted when Malcolm Turnbull decided to waste $122 million on a postal survey. He gave the green light to this rubbish,’ Mr Shorten told Fairfax Media.
Adding: ‘This is not freedom of speech. This is freedom to hurt. I just want to tell LGBTI families that they are not on their own. Most people know this is total rubbish.’