She has every right to tell the world what she wants to say. After all, Australia is not Russia or Turkey (or America under Donald Trump)! On the other hand, as an open lesbian, I feel insulted and attacked by her words. I had to struggle for recognition in my church congregation, because some, especially the elderly, did not understand the biblical quotations on homosexuality. I, on the other hand, have a greater view of it by the theological dictionary of the New Testament, published by Kittel (almost 10 volumes). The mood changed only slowly when my pastor, a wonderful woman (married, five adorable children) gave me the opportunity to discuss the topic at a Fireside, and discuss it with the elder people. It was interesting to see how most of them responded when I told them from the theological dictionary the words that Luther had literally translated with "catamite" and "pederasts" (which is translated in the USA as "homosexuals"). Both words are used in the Bible (First Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:8–11).
From then on, they understood that the Bible should not be used, but the entire chapter should be read, and that the time and the circumstances at that time should be taken into account as well as dictionaries containing ancient Hebrew or Greek.
They have also understood that a demand for celibacy is silly for homosexual people, because we humans are also sexual beings, and sexuality has more tasks than to ensure the conservation of species. Now, in my assembly, the opinion prevails that homosexual people are only supposed to get to know another person, and then decide whether to go with this masculine relationship or marriage (in Germany we can not marry yet). A relationship in which devotion and loyalty are supreme principles.
