Many publications, such as our own The Daily Advertiser, have surreptitiously attempted to trick the people of Wagga by promoting SGM as an alternative lifestyle which is 'normal'.

One only needs to look at the coverage at the recent 'Support true marriage day' (STMD) held in Wagga.

About 380 people were counted at the peaceful STMD walk; about 80 were counted in the walk against it.

And, before people suggest that more would have participated in the walk to re-define marriage but were afraid of persecution, the same argument can be used for those who didn't attend STMD.

However, the DA painted a picture that the 'walks' were on par.

The DA journalist who attended STMD chose only to interview those who came in protest.

Ironically, the protesters were both publicly and privately welcomed by the guest speakers and members of the STMD committee and were invited to share the barbecue with those attending STMD.

I personally welcomed eight protesters including two lesbian couples; the DA did not report this.

It is common for the media to display people in same gender relationships as young, healthy and happy; sadly, though, this is not the case.

So, what about some medical facts which are rarely discussed: the number of new HIV cases being reported are at a 20-year high 'with unprotected sex among men the most common mode of transmission'. (http://theconversation.com/ australias-hiv-infection-rates-at-20-year-high-19358).

In 2012, almost 40 per cent of gay men with casual partners report having unprotected sex, with the trend most pronounced among HIV positive men and those aged under 25 years. (http://theconversation.com/ australias-hiv-infection-rates-at-20-year-high-19358).

In a study conducted in the US by lead researcher Dr Patrick Sullivan: 'About 20 per cent, or one-in-five (gay male) couples, had a serodiscordant status, where one partner is (HIV) negative and the other is (HIV) positive'.

Overall, one-out-of-nine men in the study had a previously undiagnosed HIV infection (http://www.thebody.com/content/65885/gay-couples-at-risk.html).

The gay community has a reputation for high levels of violence within same gender relationships.

The American Psychological Association suggests that the reason there is violence and discrimination within the gay community is because they are unaccepted and persecuted (http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/sexual-orientation.aspx).

Christians for the first three centuries, throughout history and many modern day Christians, were/are also persecuted but this does not necessarily lead to violence within Christian marriages.

The idea that once SGM is legalised the violence within same gender relationships will disappear is objectionable.

There are 'gay friendly' suburbs in cities where same gender relationships are accepted and promoted yet infidelity rates and domestic violence are still far higher than heterosexuals; one survey has the infidelity number at 100 per cent ie every gay person surveyed had been unfaithful to their partner c.f. (Sex in America: A Definitive Survey. See also http://www.examiner. com/article/infidelity-alert-for-gay-lesbian-couples-recently-united-same-sex-marriage).

Higher rates of depression and anxiety, especially among men of same gender attraction. (http://www.glhv.org.au/report/ living-edge-gay-men-depression-and-risk-taking).

Higher rates of anxiety, mood and substance use disorders, and suicidal thoughts among people ages 15 to 54 with same gender partners.

Higher use of mental health services in men and women reporting same-gender partners (http://www.apa.org/monitor/ feb02/newdata.aspx).

There is no scientific evidence to confirm that people are born with SGA (http://www.apa.org /helpcenter/sexual-orientation.aspx).

These statistics are not my opinion; they the facts.

Instead of addressing these frightening issues we are told that we should redefine marriage and allow children to be brought into this lifestyle.

To anyone who reads this letter who has SGA please know that the Christian community of Wagga loves you and we care for you profoundly.

As a Catholic priest, I would like to remind the people of Wagga that the Catholic belief is that we are to be 'sensitive, compassionate and respectful' towards people of SGA but Christians should be reminded that acting upon temptations to engage in same gender relationships is a direct violation of the 6th Commandment.

Please see www.couragerc.net for more information on what the Catholic Church is doing to reach out to you.

Fr Bradley Rafter

Wagga