SSM vote maybe trump moment says gay couple who oppose it (Aust)

The Australian 5 September 2017
Family First Comment: Interesting commentary from Australia
“This could be the Brexit or Trump moment for Australia, where the polls are saying one thing but you go to the ballot box and people are clearly in another mind, going to vote another way,” he said. The Wollongong couple have been together for over five years, and are both planning on voting No. “There’s never been any discrimination with any of our families, or dramas coming our way because of our sexuality,” said Mr Rogers. “When I first came out I think one of the consequences was giving up marriage and children and things like that.”
www.protectmarriage.nz
A gay couple who oppose same-sex marriage say those planning to vote no in the postal survey are scared to publicly express their opinion, which may lead to a shock result similar to the election of Donald Trump or Brexit.
Ben Rogers and Mark Poidevin told ABC TV’s 7.30 Report last night they oppose same-sex marriage and wanted to preserve the traditional definition of marriage.
Mr Poidevin said heated debate on both sides leading up to the survey could result in a shock result if the vote goes ahead.
“This could be the Brexit or Trump moment for Australia, where the polls are saying one thing but you go to the ballot box and people are clearly in another mind, going to vote another way,” he said.
The Wollongong couple have been together for over five years, and are both planning on voting No.
“There’s never been any discrimination with any of our families, or dramas coming our way because of our sexuality,” said Mr Rogers.
“When I first came out I think one of the consequences was giving up marriage and children and things like that.”
Mr Poidevin, a Catholic, said he had previously been a supporter of same-sex marriage but his partner convinced him otherwise.
“I just explained to him, ‘I don’t think it’s my cup of tea,’” Mr Rogers said. “It’s not something I had ever envisioned.”
They said they feel their views are repeatedly dismissed as homophobic.
“The campaign’s gotten nasty on both sides and I think the comments that I hear are, ‘You’re a homophobe if you don’t support gay marriage’,” Mr Poidevin said.
“I’m a gay person here that’s coming out and saying, ‘Well, no it’s not. It’s your right to have a view, your right to have a view either way and people should be respected.’
“You’re not intolerant if you don’t support a view.”
He said he was concerned about the ramifications of legalising of same-sex marriage.
“If we make one exception for one community, that being the same-sex couples, where does it stop?” Mark said.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/ssm-vote-may-be-our-trump-moment-says-gay-couple-who-oppose-it/news-story/7da513d05594ee94c532784ef105128c