By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
IT’S Casey councillor Rosalie Crestani’s latest war of words over homosexuality… sparked by the gay pride rainbow filter used on Facebook.
Despite being labelled a bigot on social media, Cr Crestani stands by her views against same-sex marriage and her belief that people are not born homosexual.
In the wake of the US Supreme Court’s ruling to legalise same-sex marriage throughout America, Facebook decided to take its own stance.
Users were given the opportunity to support the change by putting a rainbow-coloured filter over their Facebook profile picture.
Cr Crestani took to Facebook on Sunday 28 June, posting: “The rainbow has been hijacked. Some of my FB friends don’t understand truly why they colour their photo. Have you researched? Or does it end at ABC news? Please read Bill Muehlenberg’s books one of which is ’Dangerous Liasons’ before you engage the rainbow. You will lose your naivety.”
The post got two shares and 54 likes but has left many Casey residents shocked and disgusted.
Mary Kylstra said on Facebook: Maybe not, but I like what it stands for… equality for all. I started listening to the interview but just got very, very angry so will just leave you to your bigoted ideas…
Another, Katie Sheargold, said: “This bigot is a councillor and wants to run our town?” while Rachael Ruse said: “Know who I won’t be voting for!”
Adam Todd added: “Wow, so many people angry about love and equality on her post!”
Cr Crestani compared the rainbow to Christmas and said she didn’t want to see the rainbow lose its true meaning.
“I don’t want it to always be identified with homosexuality, I think that the rainbow should be remembered for what it originally stood for which is a promise from God.
“I also believe the rainbow means a second chance and a fresh start for all,” she said.
Having experienced pain in her own past, Cr Crestani said it has given her the strength to always speak out.
“I’m not afraid to speak up and I know I get a lot of backlash and people call me a lot of names but I am speaking from a place of love and there’s no judgement in me.
“Because I’ve had abuse in my own childhood I understand about sexual brokenness, I have deep compassion and love for everyone because of my own sister – and I have friends that have come out.
“It’s not about not loving people, I love them dearly,” she said.
Cr Crestani bases much of her own views on Bill Muehlenberg, who supported her on Facebook, and his writings and her own personal experiences.
She believes homosexuality comes from deep wounding at a young age.
“What breaks my heart the most is that homosexual men die eight to 20 years younger than their heterosexual counterparts and there’s something seriously inherently wrong – these are precious people dying younger,” she said.
Of the Christian faith, Cr Crestani believes making same-sex marriage legal is an attempt to undermine Christianity.
“I think more heterosexuals than homosexuals are involved in trying to take down Christianity, to make it illegal,” she said.
Fellow Four Oaks Ward councillor Rafal Kaplon came out as gay in November 2014 and said Cr Crestani had expressed her ideas to him but they had maintained a “very deep and respectful friendship and working relationship built on trust”.
“We debate and discuss our views on the topic sometimes in private conversations – from my personal experience you are born gay and do not have a choice of sexuality,” he said.
Cr Kaplon believes legalising gay marriage will strengthen society and the institution of marriage.
He said even though he disagrees with his colleague “there is no reason to stop working together or continue being friends”.
