Additional Comments
Senator Eric Abetz
Throughout the course of the hearings on the Sexuality Discrimination
Bill, I was invited by former transsexual and homosexual people to discuss
their situations and life experiences.
It is to be regretted, although understandable, that they did not talk
to the Committee as a whole on the public record.
Whilst some believed they had some innate tendency toward homosexuality
they believed it was largely a learned behaviour and conduct which they
adopted and then rejected.
Upon rejection of the lifestyle, other elements in the homosexual community
considered them to be "traitors" and they were the subject of
vilification by elements of that community.
One former transsexual with whom I spoke, had unfortunately only been
affirmed in her situation. Her history and life were not fully explored
by "therapists" prior to undergoing hormone treatment and surgery.
The simply tragic consequences for this young lady who has now changed
back to her true and original sex are devastating. The physical damage
is horrendous. From having a double mastectomy to having double breast
implants and the removal of body hair gained through hormonal treatment
is not the product of a caring society but a "Brave New World"
experimentation where individuals don't count in the pursuit of a dogma
or theory. For these people there is no return to their former state.
The surgery is permanent. There is no return.
It is not possible by personal decision to alter one's race or sex. Yet,
the facts of these real personal experiences as relayed would indicate
that a person's homosexual or transexual behaviour is a learned behaviour
and not a characteristic such as sex or race.
Some practising homosexuals have also sought to be distinguished from
the aggressive, "in your face" as it was described, lobby. Their
own reservation at the antics and "shock" tactics of this lobby
begs the question as to whether the lobby is representative.
In those circumstances society must ask itself a threshold question.
Is this the type of behaviour we as a society would wish to promote or
encourage?
As a society we should and largely do condemn violence, hatred and vilification
regardless of its motivation. That is not the issue. The issue is do we
consider certain lifestyles desirable and worthy of encouragement and
affirmation or do we learn the lesson of history and all the major religions
of the world.
Some will say these are moral issues and individuals ought to be allowed
to pursue their own lifestyles.
However conflicts arise with those who would wish to pursue their own
religious lifestyle, for example. An individual is not an island. They
are a part of their society. Their individual conduct does not occur in
isolation. It has an influence and impact on society as a whole.
I fully respect and acknowledge that my other Committee colleagues have
not been privy to the private briefings that I was privileged to receive.
The people that did share their life experience exposed their very soul
and vulnerability describing intimate details of their lives. It was an
honour to be trusted with this highly personal and sensitive information.
Their advice to me is that the legislation should not proceed. The voice
of these people needs to be given an avenue for expression. These additional
comments are designed to provide that avenue.
ERIC ABETZ
Liberal Senator for Tasmania