Concerned that legislating in favour of gay marriage would be the first step on a slippery slope to polyamorous marriages or harm to young people, church leaders battling against equality are stepping up their fear tactics.

In recent weeks, The Australian newspaper has featured interviews with people in polyamorous relationships, who give a different spin on the marriage equality debate. But the idea that gay marriage law reform could lead Australia into multiple-partner marriages in the future has annoyed the Australian Christian Lobby enough to make it the focus of its newest campaign against marriage equality.

Here’s the ACL’s latest ad.

“We need to stand up to this,” urges marriage equality activist Alex Greenwich today. “The ACL’s scaremongering is a sign of desperation and will be rejected by the majority of fair-minded Australians who want their gay friends and family members to be able to share in the values, traditions and joys of marriage as an exclusive, lifelong union.”

International experience proves there is no link between same-sex marriage and polygamy, he adds. “Which is why conservative figures like Jeff Kennett, David Cameron, and New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key, have no problem supporting same-sex marriages.

“This scare campaign proves the ACL has no argument left except fear. It’s offensive nature will drive undecided politicians and members of the public towards supporting marriage equality.”

Offensive? You ain’t seen nothing yet. At last Thursday’s launch of Marie Claire’s I DO campaign in Sydney’s Martin Place, marriage equality foe Peter Madden (pictured above) was seen trying to engage people in conversation while handing out his own bizarre flyers:

The flyer comes with a helpful content warning on the front.

Inside, Madden sets out his reason why same-sex marriage shouldn’t be legalised – he wants to protect children from learning about gay people. “Where same sex marriage is legalised, a school is obligated to normalize homosexual behaviour,” the flyer warns.

Young adults are also vulnerable, apparently. “Teenage minds are defiled with explicit age inappropriate material. They are also encouraged in mind boggling homosexual acts.” The weirdly self-censored text does into detail on these: “eg. Instruction on s-d-my, o—l sex, mut—l m-stu-bation and vagi—- inter—-se with s—toys.” See the whole flyer online here.

Crikey! What does it all mean? Luckily, Peter Madden’s tweets are uncensored and get right to the naked heart of why he campaigns so strongly against same-sex marriage…

SSM lobby wants society 2 accept that a man putting his penis into another man’s rectum is healthy& normal. I & other informed people cannot

— Peter Madden (@petermadden2u) June 7, 2012

As the enemies of marriage equality mobilise in comical and downright hateful ways against us, the Australian Marriage Equality lobby group needs your help to spread the good word.

The AME is asking for generous contributions here.