Australia Vote on Same-sex Marriage Begins
澳洲開始表決同性婚姻法
September 13
Australians began receiving their postal 1)ballots on 2)legalizing gay marriage on Tuesday as a new opinion poll showed that most of those who plan to vote are in favor of marriage 3)equality. The previous weekend saw 4)rallies for and against changing marriage laws, with thousands of people dressed in rainbow colors marching in Sydney on Sunday in support of the “yes” vote. More than 16 million voters among Australia’s population of 24 million will be receiving ballots in the coming weeks requesting their opinion on whether same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.
9月13日
澳洲選民於週二開始收到同性婚姻合法化的郵寄選票之際，新民調顯示，大部分選民計畫對婚姻平權案投下贊成票。上個週末出現支持與反對修改婚姻法的造勢集會，週日成千上萬支持投「贊成」票的人身穿彩虹服裝在雪梨遊行。在2400萬澳洲人口中，有超過1600萬選民在接下來幾週會收到選票，詢問他們是否贊成同性伴侶結婚。
Most 5)advocates of same-sex marriage believe that the 98 million dollar postal survey is a waste of money, and want Parliament to reform the law without further delay. A poll published on Tuesday found that 70 percent of those who plan to take part in the survey would support gay marriage. If the survey results show that most Australians approve of gay marriage, Parliament will vote no later than December on 6)legislation to end the 7)prohibition on gay marriage. Several lawmakers have said, however, that they would vote against marriage equality regardless of public opinion.
多數同性婚姻倡議者認為，耗資9800萬元進行郵寄問卷調查是在浪費錢，並希望國會立即改革法律。週二公布的民調顯示，計畫參與調查的民眾中，有70％會支持同性婚姻。若調查結果顯示多數澳洲人支持同性婚姻，國會將在12月前表決法案，終止同性婚姻禁令。不過，已有幾位國會議員表示，不論民眾意見如何，他們會投票反對婚姻平權案。
1) ballot (n.) 選票
It will take several days for all the ballots to be counted.
2) legalize (v.) （使）合法化
Jamaica is considering legalizing marijuana.
3) equality (n.) 平等
Women are still struggling for equality in the workplace.
4) rally (n.)（政治）集會，大會
The opposition party is holding a rally tonight.
5) advocate (n.) 提倡者，擁護者
The new media law has been criticized by free speech advocates.
6) legislation (n.) 立法，法律
The government introduced legislation to improve the education system.
7) prohibition (n.) 禁止，禁酒
In many countries, there is increasing debate about drug prohibition.
Mardi Gras
這個字是法文 Fat Tuesday（油膩星期二），這天是基督教展開為期 40 天齋戒（Lent，四旬齋）之前，最後能夠吃喝狂歡的機會，傳統上會舉辦嘉年華（Carnival，源自拉丁文 carne vale「告別肉食」之意，以巴西最負盛名）。澳洲的雪梨同性戀狂歡節是全球規模最大的同性戀活動之一，每年為新南威爾斯省帶進超過七億元的觀光收入。
For 贊成的聲音
「自由、平等、博愛」是幾乎人人認同的普世價值（universal value），而爭取同志平權人士認為：平等就是平等，不論階級、種族、性別⋯⋯都不應有貴賤高低之分，任何宣稱自己信仰平等，卻認為某一群人不應享有與自己相同的權利，那還叫平等嗎？
Gay couples should have the same rights as heterosexual couples, including the right to marry.
同性伴侶與異性伴侶應有同等權益，包括結婚權。
畢竟古今中外都可見同性相愛，就跟異性相愛一樣自然，想要禁絕往往只是徒勞。
Because people are born gay, not allowing them to marry is discrimination based on a biological trait.
由於同性戀是天生的，禁止他們結婚是基於生物特徵的歧視。
Allowing same-sex marriage doesn’t harm anyone, so there’s no reason to prohibit it.
允許同性結婚不會傷害任何人，所以沒有理由禁止。
Against 反對的聲音
反對同性婚姻者當中，有些是以宗教為由：
In most religions, homosexuality is considered a sin.
在大部分宗教中，同性戀被視為有罪。
有些認為家庭始於婚姻，而婚姻的根本就是一男一女的結合，不容破壞：
Allowing gay couples to marry may weaken respect for the institution of marriage.
允許同性伴侶結婚可能削弱對婚姻制度的尊重。
Gay marriage goes against traditional family values.
同性婚姻違反傳統家庭價值。
還有一派認為讓小孩在非典型的家庭長大，會有不好的影響：
It’s best for children to be raised by their own mother and father, and gay couples can’t procreate.
孩子由自己的父母親養育是最好的，而同性伴侶無法生育。
For 贊成的對話
台灣是亞洲第一個允許同性結婚的國家
A: Are you in favor of marriage equality?
B: Yes, definitely. I have lots of gay friends, and it’s not fair to deny them the same rights that other people have.
A: Exactly. I was so glad when gay marriage was legalized in the U.S.
B: I felt the same way when same-sex marriage was legalized in Taiwan.
A: Wow, I didn’t know that. I thought Asian countries were really conservative.
B: Yeah. Taiwan is the first country in Asia to allow gay marriage.
A: 你支持婚姻平權嗎？
B: 對，當然。我有很多同性戀朋友。抵制他人享有同樣的權益是不公平的。
A: 沒錯，得知美國的同性婚姻合法化時我很高興。
B: 台灣的同性婚姻合法化時我也很高興。
A: 哇，我不知道這件事。我以為亞洲國家比較保守。
B: 是的。台灣是亞洲第一個允許同性結婚的國家。
Against 反對的對話
聖經上說同性戀是一種罪
A: I hear same-sex marriage is legal in the States now.
B: Yes, unfortunately. And we didn’t even get to vote on it.
A: So I guess you don’t support gay marriage.
B: No. I’m Catholic, and it says in the Bible that homosexuality is a sin.
A: But doesn’t God forgive people for their sins?
B: Yes, if you repent. But that doesn’t mean the government should pass laws that encourage people to sin.
A: 我聽說同性婚姻在美國已經合法了。
B: 對，真是不幸。我們連表決的機會都沒有。
A: 所以我猜你不支持同性婚姻。
B: 不支持，我是天主教徒，而且聖經上說同性戀是一種罪。
A: 但上帝不是會原諒人類的罪嗎？
B: 對，前提是要懺悔。但這不表示政府應通過鼓勵人們犯罪的法律。
Head to Head 正反交鋒
寧可單親也不要同性雙親？
A: Australia’s going to vote on gay marriage soon, and it looks like it’s gonna be legalized.
B: That’s great news. I’m a big believer in marriage equality.
A: I’m totally against it. I think marriage should be between a man and a woman.
B: But don’t you think gay couples should have the same rights as other couples?
A: No. The point of marriage is to have children, and gay couples can’t have kids.
B: Maybe, but they can adopt kids if they’re allowed to get married.
A: 澳洲很快就要表決同性婚姻，看來是會合法化。
B: 真是好消息。我非常支持婚姻平權。
A: 我完全反對。我認為婚姻應是一男一女的結合。
B: 但你不覺得同性伴侶應該跟其他夫妻擁有同樣的權益？
A: 不。婚姻的目的就是生小孩，同性伴侶無法生育。
B: 或許吧，但他們若能結婚，就可以收養小孩。
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