Both the Liberal government and federal Labor governments passed the ban on same-sex marriage in 2004, and in 2006 went further by banning civil unions in the Australian Capital Territory.

As a result, homosexuals are considered second-class citizens in Australia. These federal laws discriminating on the basis of sexual preference are a disgrace.

CAAH has led the fight against the ban on marriage and civil unions. In particular, we have helped cohere a National Day of Action (NDA) around August 13th every year to call for a repeal of the ban, and for marriage and civil union rights for same-sex couples.

Australia also refuses to recognise the marriages of same-sex couples legally entered into overseas in such countries as Canada, Spain and South Africa.

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End gay marriage ban, says activist

  09 Dec 08 @ 10:00am by Rob Bates

The activist who organised and led the anti-homophobia protest march from Taylor Square to Moore Park during World Youth Day is hoping to create similar scenes tonight (Wednesday, December 10) to repeal same-sex marriage bans.

“No longer are we in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, intersex community willing to accept having our rights taken away,” Rachel Evans said.

This time taking place at the Martin Luther King mural in Newtown, the rally has been planned to coincide with the International Day of Human Rights and other rallies in more than 400 cities around the world.

Ms Evans faced challenges organising the last major demonstration in July as special legislation threatened participants with fines up to $5500 for any behaviour deemed “annoying” to World Youth Day pilgrims. After a successful Federal Court challenge the legislation was declared invalid.

“People are mobilising in numbers never seen in a queer rights movement to demand that inequality be made history, but we all must protest if we are going to successfully pressure the Rudd Government,” Evans said.

A spokesperson for the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, Peter Johnson, said the Lobby would not take part in the action, although it supported same-sex marriage rights. View Article

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