Doug PollardDraft Letter to beyondblue directors
Tell beyondblue board not to be mugs, stop supporting Jeff Kennett!
It's important that when you write, you do so in your own words as far as possible, but this is a good example to inspire you.
Thanks Ellyn! We LOVE our straight allies!!
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Dear........................
It is distressing to see Jeff Kennett, a Director of your organisation, publicly denigrating gay relationships in his article in The Herald-Sun of 9 September 2011. Given the direct connection between public attitudes and commentary on homosexuality and severe depression and mental health issues in the gay community - particularly in children and adolescents, the very groups Kennett claims to be concerned about - it is near impossible to understand how beyondblue could publicly stand by these comments.
Kennett states that, "All we can do is give our children the best possible opportunity in which to start their lives - being part of a family that is based on a marriage, in a loving relationship, that stands the test of time." This is, of course, true. But it is also true that there is no rational reason why a loving relationship that stands the test of time must solely be between a man and a woman. This is indeed indicated by the statement on current research findings from beyondblue CEO Dawn O'Neil on the beyondblue website, "Research shows that regardless of family type (same-sex vs. opposite-sex parents), children who have a close relationship with their parents have better school and psychosocial adjustment" Really Long Link
However, sadly, Kennett also states - without evidence or regard to what is clearly the contrary position of beyondblue - that, "Clearly the best environment in which to bring a child into the world is a stable, loving environment in which a male and female are married to each other."
We do hope that Beyond Blue will distance itself from these comments, and from Jeff Kennettt, as soon as possible.
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Addresses in Really Long Link
Current Affairs
Rainbow Reporter
Mary Wooldridge (Vic Mental Health Minister) mary.wooldridge@parliament.vi c.gov.au ,
Mark Butler (Commonwealth ditto) Really Long Link and
Movember info@movember.com .
You know what to do.
Current Affairs
Rainbow Reporter
Really Long Link
sackjeff@groups.facebook.com