Kevin Rudd, former Prime Minister of Australia, who is a prominent political leader in the nation, has said that he changed his position on same-sex marriage. Rudd defended himself against those who accused him of playing to political advantage with the LGBT community by quoting Shakespeare. ‘‘To thine own self be true.’‘
Apparently, Mr. Rudd has been under a lot of pressure from the LGBT community. Claiming that his views evolved over time, “Mr. Rudd said he had been approached about the issue by many people in the community in the past 12 months, including same-sex couples asking, ‘’why can’t we get married? It’s been quite pervasive on the ground,’‘ he said. Mr. Rudd has also been invited to LGBT parties and has gay friends who have influenced his position.
“In his blog, Mr. Rudd declared he agreed that same-sex couples should be allowed to wed so long as churches and religious institutions don’t have to marry them.” Previously, Mr. Rudd had been a staunch opponent to gay marriage and as recently as September 2012 voted against legalizing same-sex marriage in a parliamentary vote” which was defeated.
But he insisted he had a change of heart and wanted to let the Australian public know his new stance before further debate on the issue in parliament. Obviously, his change of heart is meant to influence the future of the debate in Australia.
Many Western societies have become known for their liberal and secular bent, and politicians are, one by one, embracing the most liberal changes to social order.
The opposition questioned Mr. Rudd’s motives. “Kevin certainly changed his mind in spectacular fashion,” said Senator Brandis. “Kevin Rudd is at it again… It’s not about same-sex marriage… what it tells you is that Kevin Rudd has not given up [his political ambitions],” he said.
Politicians cannot be trusted to stand for principle. When the political winds change, they will find a reason to change with it. They will claim that it is their own conscience when often it is primarily for political or monetary reasons. “If you can’t be grown up enough in the Australian national political debate… and reach an amended or changed position, then frankly you shouldn’t be in national political life,’‘ Mr. Rudd said. “This has been something of a personal journey for me.” Obviously, politics and its process of compromise and change have become very personal to Mr. Rudd.
He even explained his political considerations in making the announcement about his change of mind. He said he had waited to declare his support on the issue until after the budget. “For me to have said anything prior to the budget would have been wrong,” Mr. Rudd said. “So I’ve waited frankly for a bit of a lull.”
The defeat of the earlier bill to legalize same-sex marriage will not end the matter. The LGBT community is determined to keep up the pressure in Australia. Greens deputy leader, Adam Bandt, said he will “push for another vote on same-sex marriage before the September election.”
LGBT supporters were very pleased with Mr. Rudd’s change of heart. Senator Pratt, a long-time advocate for same sex marriage and so-called gay rights said, “Kevin Rudd is a former prime minister. When you have someone like Kevin come forward, I think it adds a great deal of momentum to the debate.”
“Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot…” Luke 17:28