Darebin Council set to pass motion to offer resources to marriage equality campaign
A COUNCIL in Melbourne’s north will give free office space to marriage equality campaigners — while blacklisting the ‘no’ side and warning churches not to campaign against same-sex marriage.
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A COUNCIL in Melbourne’s north will give free office space to same-sex marriage campaigners — while blacklisting opponents of marriage equality.
Darebin Council flies rainbow flag for marriage equality
Greens-dominated Darebin Council will also issue a warning to local churches not to campaign against same-sex marriage.
It will allow ‘yes’ campaigners to use council facilities and services for free in the lead up to the postal plebiscite on same-sex marriage.
But ‘no’ campaigners will be barred from using council facilities, according to an urgent motion to be voted on next week.
The council will also write to local churches and religious groups to warn them of the “potentially harmful impacts of campaigning against marriage equality”.
Councillor Susan Rennie said the council had a clear mandate to support and protect the LGBTI community.
“The postal poll is a terrible idea, there’s no justification for it and it will make some people in our community feel unsafe and expose them to homophobia and discrimination,” she said.
Cr Rennie rejected suggestions the council was limiting free speech.
“The level of debate and comments that I have heard from the ‘no’ camp is disgraceful … and just because people are free to express their views doesn’t mean council should deliver a platform for them,” she said.
Cr Rennie said the council would speak with local LGBTI groups to determine which council services they required.
Darebin Council offers a range of venue hire options including the Northcote Town Hall and the Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre.
Rates vary but can be up to $2000 a day for some venues.
Darebin made international news in May when it voted to raise the rainbow flag until marriage equality became law in Australia.
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