Out politicians vie for gay vote

In what’s believed to be a first for any Australian plebiscite at state or federal level, Sydney’s gay community is faced with an historic choice, with two openly gay politicians running against each other in the upcoming Sydney by-election on October 27.

While no clear consensus has emerged within the gay community regarding a preferred candidate, Independent candidate Alex Greenwich and Liberal Party candidate Shayne Mallard are both portraying themselves as the community’s best choice.

Mr Greenwich said he was the better option due to his ties to former Member for Sydney Clover Moore, and his history as a gay activist.

“Clover Moore has an impeccable record on supporting our community,” he said.

“As someone endorsed by Clover, I believe I’m the gay community’s best choice.”

Mr Greenwich said his role as national convenor of Australian Marriage Equality was also noteworthy.

“Five years at Australia’s leading marriage equality group means I have a running dialogue with all the main gay and lesbian lobby groups, organisations and activists.”

Mr Greenwich warned the gay community to be wary of Liberal links to Christian Democratic Party leader Rev. Fred Nile, a longtime gay community foe.

“The Liberals have relied on Fred Nile’s vote to get legislation through the Upper House,” he said, pointing to the so-called ‘Get Clover Bill’, which precipitated the by-election, as an example.

Mr Mallard took a different approach to Mr Greenwich, presenting himself as a candidate with broader appeal.

“I’m a gay man but it’s 2012 and I’m not seeking to represent any
one community,” he said.

“I’m standing in Sydney to represent all its constituents.

“Having said that, I have had a long history of gay activism … I’ve sat on the board of ACON and was Vice-President of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations … I worked on the Property Relationship Bill and the recent gay adoption reforms.”

Mr Mallard rejected the notion the Liberal Party was anti-gay, noting NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell secured ongoing funding for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and added it to the NSW Events Calendar.

“In fact, Barry attended Mardi Gras himself this year – the first NSW Premier to do so, I believe,” Mr Mallard said.

Most gay and lesbian groups shied away from endorsing a candidate, but Community Action Against Homophobia (CAAH) said the community should be wary of the Liberals.

“Certainly at the federal level, this is not a party that supports the gay community,” said CAAH co-convenor Bryn Simon.

“You only need to look at the language that came out of Liberal MPs’ mouths during parliamentary debate about same-sex marriage.”

The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) was more conciliatory, opining that Mr Greenwich, Mr Mallard and Greens candidate Chris Harris were all good options in terms of gay rights. A GLRL spokesperson said: “All three leading candidates have shown a strong commitment to the LGBTI community, and the GLRL is confident of building a strong relationship with whomever of those three wins the election.”

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, meanwhile, released a carefully worded statement on the by-election.

“Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras maintains regular dialogue with candidates and parties from all points on the political spectrum.

“Mardi Gras does not align with any specific political party, candidate or group.”