An LNP candidate has withdrawn her support for a rabbi who has repeatedly compared homosexuality to paedophilia, bestiality, and incest.
Amanda Stoker had agreed to host a book launch for ultra-orthodox rabbi Shimon Cowen in Queensland Parliament House on Monday.
The LNP’s candidate for Oodgeroo at next month’s state election claimed she was unaware of Dr Cowen’s anti-homosexual views when she agreed to promote his book.
She told ABC Brisbane she would no longer be attending the event.
Her image is still featured heavily on advertising material being used to promote the event.
Dr Cowen has condemned feminism, transgender identity, abortion, and anti-discrimination laws which prevent schools from sacking homosexual teachers.
Shimon Cowen says Labor is attempting to stifle his freedom of speech. (Wikimedia Commons: Chamdilh)
The Melbourne rabbi has claimed that homosexuality is “psychologically treatable”, and often caused by trauma or inferior parenting.
An LNP spokesperson told ABC Brisbane the party itself was not directly involved in this event.
“This event was not organised by the LNP, it was not sponsored by an MP and the candidate is not attending this event,” the spokesperson said.
“Amanda had agreed to launch a book by the son of Australia’s former governor general, Sir Zelman Cowen.
“Upon learning of some of his views, she withdrew from the event.”
The LNP did not answer questions about whether it had known the event was happening, whether the event was still going ahead, or whether opposition leader David Crisafulli condemned Dr Cowen’s views.
Ms Stoker told ABC Brisbane she did not know if the event was still going ahead without her.
The former senator has previously described homosexuality as a “choice”, has been vocally critical of the “transgender activist lobby”, and has opposed a ban on conversion therapy.
No tolerance for hatred
Labor minister Shannon Fentiman said these “extreme” views should not be promoted in Parliament House.
“Amanda Stoker is one of David Crisafulli’s star candidates,” Ms Fentiman said.
“We know Amanda Stoker has extreme views and if not for enquiries by the ABC, she would have been allowed to spew this hate on the Queensland Parliament premises.
“My message to young Queenslanders remains the same: you don’t need curing, you don’t need fixing – because there is absolutely nothing wrong with you.”
Shannon Fentiman says “extreme” views should not be promoted in Parliament House. (AAP: Jono Searle)
The electorate of Oodgeroo is a very safe LNP seat which has been held by MP Mark Robinson since 2009, back when it was still the Cleveland electorate.
Dr Cowen told ABC Brisbane that Queensland Labor was attempting to stifle his freedom of speech.
“Repressing freedom of religion and freedom of speech is a portent for a dangerous future which erodes fundamental rights and freedoms essential to our society,” he said.
“It is alarming that a major political party is so brazenly declaring that views shared by the Christian, Islamic and Jewish tradition ought to be banned from expression in Parliament House.”
Dr Cowen has previously written that sex between a man and a woman is the “sole legitimate sexual union”, and that all others are corrupt and invalid.
He has also written that feminism “denigrates and denatures qualities of femininity” and is responsible for high divorce rates and the break-up of the family.
Dr Cowen’s event is two days after Brisbane Pride Fair Day, which takes place on Saturday.
James McCarthy said these views belonged in the 19th century. (ABC Radio Brisbane: Kenji Sato)
Brisbane Pride Fair Day president James McCarthy said Dr Cowen’s views had no place in modern Queensland.
“These views are appalling but not surprising. Our community still faces this sort of bigotry and discrimination,” Mr McCarthy said.
“We call on all members of parliament to reject these views.
“Our rights are something we have had to fight for, and this event demonstrates that unfortunately we have to keep fighting to defend them.”
Jen Toonen, James McCarthy and Jacob Harland are organising Brisbane Pride Fair Day. (ABC Radio Brisbane: Kenji Sato)
Dr Cowen’s book, A Populism of the Spirit, criticises “hedonistic materialism” which he believes is responsible for homosexuality, transgenderism, bestiality, paedophilia, and incest.
