Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon, has removed Warwick Marsh, Founder of the Fatherhood Foundation and a strongly committed Christian leader, from a Government appointed panel to advise it on Men's Health Issues for comments he made in a paper "21 Reasons Why Gender Matters", published by the Fatherhood Foundation two years ago. The paper suggests children are more likely to be abused by homosexual people than by heterosexuals and that homosexual people are more prone to infidelity than those in heterosexual relationships.

Following the announcement of the appointment of Mr Marsh, homosexual activists called for his dismissal from the panel on the basis of what they described as his homophobic views. Ms Roxon moved quickly to diffuse the issue by removing Mr Marsh from the panel. In announcing her decision Ms Roxon said  "I firmly disagree with the views expressed by Mr Marsh which I find unacceptable and repugnant.

A number of Christian leaders have jumped to the defence of Mr Marsh writing to the Prime Minister pointing out that Mr Marsh is a highly respected and compassionate men’s mentor and advocate who has mentored wounded men from many different backgrounds.  He has genuinely displayed the love of Christ in all his dealings with others, without discrimination.  He and his wife Alison have opened their Wollongong home to men in need – including homosexual men. 

They have pointed out that the offending booklet is a research document the contents of which are substantiated by 178 footnotes.  Many refer to papers published in peer-reviewed academic journals. Authoritative research, both in Australia and overseas, shows that disproportionate numbers of homosexual men and women abuse alcohol and contract sexually transmitted infections.  Two decades of annual surveys by the University of NSW of men who have sex with men show that these men have disproportionately high rates of illicit drug use.

These facts however appear to count for nothing in the face of a concerted move by the homosexual lobby to punish anyone who dares to criticise or question their lifestyle.

Editors note: The caving in of the Health Minister to political correctness and the views and wishes of a minority within the community, rather than judging statements made by Mr Marsh on their accuracy according to accepted and reputable research, is a further warning sign of what Christians will face in the future when they seek to speak out on contentious issues which are at variance with the politically correct views of the day. This is further evidence of the breaking down of the influence of the Christian worldview that has shaped our nation until this generation, an issue requiring much prayer.