I don't often use this blog to weigh into controversial issues, but today I will. Loree Rudd, sister of former Australian Prime Minister and current Minister for Foreign Affairs Kevin Rudd, found herself in hot water when in a recent interview about her opposition to the same sex marriage campaign, she made a reference to the "gay Gestapo." A Google search shows page after page of saturation print and online media commentary on Rudd's remarks, calling her comments offensive and homophobic, and demanding that she apologize.
Hyperbole is a figure of speech; a deliberate over statement to make a point. Having heard Rudd explain the full context in which she made her comments, she was actually right, and has nothing to apologize for. She was alluding to the fact that some elements of the gay rights movement try to silence their opponents through slurs and intimidation. They label anyone who opposes them as homophobic and bigoted, regardless of whether or not they actually are.
In what is not an isolated incident, just this week in Tasmania a planned debate on same sex marriage was cancelled after reports that gay activists personally attacked the Christian debating team. If this is any indication, Loree Rudd was right. If I could personally contact her, I would encourage her to stand her ground and not back down.
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