Swimming Australia Supports Right for Marriage Equality During Country’s Conflict

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Photo Courtesy: Swimming Australia

While Australian citizens are waiting to hear the results of a marriage equality vote, Swimming Australia has put out a statement showing their support of individual rights on this matter.

According to CNN, same-sex marriage is currently illegal in Australia. Since Sept. 12, 2017, all citizens with the right to vote received a letter asking them, “Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?” The results will be released on Nov. 15.

Swimming Australia, the nation’s swimming governing body, put out a statement explaining their connection to the vote as well as their stance – that every individual should have the right to make this decision for themselves.

Notably, nine-time Olympic medalist and legendary Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe said he was gay in an interview on Australia’s Channel Ten in 2014.

“We have past and present champions who have strong positions on this topic,” Swimming Australia CEO Mark Anderson said in the statement. “We absolutely support these individuals and support their right to have a strong voice in relation to this social issue.”

Full statement from Swimming Australia:

The individual Board members of Swimming Australia discussed the postal vote afforded to all Australians on the issue of marriage equality at its Board Meeting yesterday.

Swimming Australia is an organisation of members and stakeholders with diverse backgrounds and opinions; and our organisational policies reflect our ongoing and serious commitment to inclusion, fairness and acceptance.

Without exception, each Board & Executive member will be exercising their individual right as Australians to support the notion of marriage equality.

Swimming Australia CEO Mark Anderson said that the Board recognised that as a sport we have past and present champions who have strong positions on this topic. We absolutely support these individuals and support their right to have a strong voice in relation to this social issue.

Swimming Australia Directors also strongly believe that everyone has an equal right to make an informed decision on the issue and recognise that this is a topic where there will be differing views on marriage equality across the community and across our sport.

Swimming Australia Directors welcomed and encouraged an informed and respectful discussion on the issue. The organisation strongly believes that everyone has an equal right to make an informed decision on the issue.

On this basis the Board felt it appropriate for all Swimming members to have the opportunity to have their own position and encouraged all of our members to express their perspective in the postal plebiscite.

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Swimming Pool Lovers
6 years ago

bingo

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