NDA Media & Resources
‘almost but not quite’ pseudo-equivalent."
Phil Scott, SSO
Tasmania endorses same-sex marriage
- July 27, 2009
Federal Labor is under increased pressure to endorse same-sex marriage after the party's Tasmanian state conference passed a motion supporting it, gay rights activists say.
The Tasmanian motion passed today calls on the federal government to remove discrimination against gay and lesbian couples by changing the Marriage Act to include same-sex couples.
Labor's current policy supports state-based relationship registers for same-sex couples.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson Rodney Croome says the decision increases pressure on delegates at the ALP national conference in Sydney, starting July 31, to support a motion there on same-sex marriage.
"This decision will send a strong message to the upcoming ALP national conference and the Rudd government to support equality in marriage for same-sex partners," Mr Croome said in a statement. Read more _________________________________________________________________
Support for Same Sex Marriage
From CLOVER MOORE - eNews 457 – Friday, 24 July 2009
Three years ago, the Australian Parliament voted to explicitly exclude some Australians from the right to marry the person of their choice and to refuse to recognise all marriages solemnised overseas. This was the outcome of the former Liberal Government’s amendments to the Marriage Act to ban same-sex marriage, achieved with the support of the then Labor Party Opposition.
Next Saturday I will speak in support of marriage equality at the rally being held in Sydney as part of the Same Sex Marriage National Day of Action.
As a society we should value and support loving relationships. All adult couples making a life commitment to each should be able to marry if they wish.
The City shows its support for all couples through our Relationships Declaration Program. Couples can use this to record their relationships and to declare they are committed to a shared life together. In October, the NSW Local Government Association annual conference will consider a proposal put to it by the City to encourage other Councils to establish a similar program.
In February this year, the City became the first Australian Council to endorse the Declaration of Montreal, which aims to put GLBT rights on the United Nations agenda. The Declaration states: “As a matter of simple equality, same-sex couples are entitled to the full range of relationship options available to different-sex couples, including marriage for those who choose it.”
I will continue to work with the GLBT community to achieve this simple equality and invite you to join me at the rally in support of human rights.
* City of Sydney Relationships Declaration Program:
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Hitching to get married
SSO Soap Box - Phil Scott - Tuesday, 21 July 2009
‘almost but not quite’ pseudo-equivalent."
On August 1 my partner and I will be milling, loitering and woolgathering for same-sex marriage. It’s not that we wish to get married; at least I don’t think so. Acting like an old married couple, we haven’t discussed it. But we want you to get hitched, if that’s what you’d like.
And we want the Labor Party Conference to be aware of our opinion.
Some people believe same-sex marriage (yes, that specific term) should be the final thing gays and lesbians achieve for full equality. The last frontier! I think that’s the wrong way around. Once we have the right to marry, other related areas of inequality will disappear. Let’s go for the big one now and let the fiddly details sort themselves out later. Read more
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August 1 Sees Australian National Day Of Action For Same Sex Marriage
Guide To Gay DotCom - 21 July 2009
It’s just over a week till the National Day of Action For Same-Sex Marriage kick’s off in Sydney on August 1.
With momentum growing organisers expect the day to be the biggest yet. Community Action Against Homophobia has organised the National Day of Action For Same-Sex Marriage since the Howard government with the support of the Labor party banned Same-Sex Marriage in Australia in 2004.
CAAH Co-Convenor Emilia Lawonski Stated: “We’re really pleased with the response we’ve had for this years National Day of Action”. This is also the first year a Mass “illegal” wedding has been planned for the day.
Emilia also stated” I’m looking forward to seeing a sea of Same-Sex couples getting married and showing the Labor party and our Government that we will not stop fighting till the ban on same-sex marriage is repealed in Australia!”
CAAH is calling upon all people that support same-sex marriage to attend and show their support on the day and more couples are being urged to register to Get Married on the day. You can also support the campaign by donating online or volunteering to help on the day!
The rally will meet at Sydney Town Hall at 12pm and will march to Darling Harbour for the Mass “illegal” Same-Sex wedding. Read article online
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Marriage supporters speak up
SX - 21 July 2009
There’s just two weeks left to make a submission to the first ever full-scale government inquiry into same-sex marriage.
Supporters of same-sex marriage are being encouraged to make a submission or sign onto the Australian Marriage Equality submission for the inquiry into the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill.
“Historians will look back at this inquiry as a turning point in the debate on same-sex marriage,” AME spokesman Alex Greenwich said, adding that some of the submissions already put forward had moved him to tears.
“These are words straight from the heart, and they’ve reaffirmed my belief that marriage equality is one of the most important human rights reforms facing Australia today.” Read more
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Momentum for equal marriage keeps growing
SX - Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Support for gay marriage continues to grow in the wake of last week’s news of a senate inquiry into same-sex marriage.
Marriage equality group Equal Love this week predicted that the upcoming protests on August 1 for the National Day of Action for Same-Sex Marriage would feature the biggest crowds in the event’s history.
Also showing their support are a host of celebrities, including singer, Rob Mills and actor Matt Young.
“I believe in equal love for all,” Mills urged listeners in a radio ad organised by Equal Love. “I urge you all to attend the National Day of Action.”
Actor Matt Young said he will be attending the Sydney rally on August 1. Read more
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Union president’s marriage campaign
SSO - 21 July 2009
Marriage equality has at least one union boss on its side ahead of this month’s ALP national conference.
National Union of Students president David Barrow is openly gay and campaigning for the right to marry his partner of five years, Curtis Dickson.
But unlike trade unions, Barrow doesn’t get a vote, so he’s making his plea to PM Kevin Rudd, ALP delegates, unionists, and any believers in social justice attending the conference.
“Kevin Rudd is wrong on this issue.” Barrow said. “Public opinion has shifted and so will the politics.” Read more
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Rights charter faces long wait
- Southern Star - July 15, 2009
The call for a rights charter dominated the final public hearings of the National Human Rights Consultation, but even the less-publicised proposals presented a step forward for gay and lesbian equality.
The consultation committee, headed by Father Frank Brennan, was granted another extension as the last consultation hearings wrapped up last week. A report is now due by 30 September and the government is not expected to respond before the next election. Read more
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PM faces stoush over gay marriage
Rodney Croome ... civil unions "second-best".
SMH - July 14, 2009
THE Rudd Government is facing a concerted push from within to extend to gay couples the right to marry or at least have access to a nationally recognised system of civil unions.
The effort to amend Labor's platform at the party's national conference this month is looming as one of the more significant policy showdowns that party officials are anticipating.
Rainbow Labor, a cross-factional organisation of gay, grassroots ALP members, has been working behind the scenes on proposed policy changes, despite a stated refusal by the Government to consider change. Read more
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Same-sex Marriage inquiry
SSO - Tuesday, 7 July 2009
The Rudd Government has announced a Senate Inquiry into same-sex marriage.
The inquiry follows the tabling of a private members bill by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
Hanson-Young introduced the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009 which, if passed, would grant same-sex couples equal marriage rights and recognise unions entered into abroad.
In 2004, the ALP joined the Howard government to legislate against
same-sex marriage. PM Kevin Rudd ruled out its introduction since being
elected. Read more
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MPs join masses for 2009 NDA
SX - 7 July 2009
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore will join with Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon to take part in this year’s National Day of Action on August 1.
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tarting with a rally on the steps of Town Hall and culminating in a mass illegal wedding outside the Labor Party’s national conference, the day is expected to draw hundreds of couples intent on pressuring the ALP to allow same-sex marriages.
Moore and Rhiannon, who have both previously expressed support for same-sex marriage reform, will speak on the day.
“There is a glaring omission from the suite of same-sex law reform passed by the federal Government recently,” Rhiannon said.
“Labor and the Coalition still refuse to support same-sex marriage so Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has introduced into the Senate a private member’s bill to end this discrimination. We can’t wait any longer for equality.” Read more
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MY BIG FAT GAY WEDDING
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Same-Sex Marriage Campaign is calling on Same-Sex couples to participate in the biggest ever “Illegal” Same-Sex Wedding. A mass Same-Sex wedding demonstration will be held as part of the National Day of Action (NDA) for Same-Sex Marriage in Sydney on Saturday August the 1st.
Pastor Karl Hand from Crave MCC will be officiating over the ceremony and stated that: “The so called progressive governments in America and Australia have been really slow in recognising the equality of queer people. And have stalled on so many of the promises that they have made. It’s time for queer people to stand up and take their future into their own hands.”
Hand also stated his hopes for this years National Day of Action for Same-Sex Marriage “My hope for NDA this year is that we will make it really clear to the Rudd Government that human rights are not optional and that our community will not tolerate them being delayed. It would be amazing if lots of people could come to the NDA this year to help us to make that point.”
Participants on the day will be presented with an official “illegal” Australian Marriage certificate and are invited to write their own vows if they choose to do so.
Mass wedding demonstrations will also be held as part of the National Day of Action for Same-Sex Marriage in Melbourne and Canberra.
Willing participants can now register online at: www.caah.org.au/nda or e-mail: caahsydney@gmail.com.
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Heterosexual Australia pricks up its ears
SSO Soap Box - Andrew M Potts - June 30, 2009
June 2009 may be remembered as the month same-sex marriage became an issue of genuine concern for mainstream Australia, starting with the release of Australian Marriage Equality’s Galaxy poll showing close to three in five Australians now support marriage rights for gays and lesbians.
The change in tone of the debate shows the Government’s refusal to defend its own policy is backfiring by leaving only religious groups to speak for it.
Mainstream Australia does not like having morality dictated to it by the churches, let alone in law, so what’s holding progress back? Read more
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Greens introduce equal marriage bill
GREENS PRESS RELEASE • Wednesday 24 June 2009
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will today introduce a private member's bill to grant same-sex couples equal marriage rights in Australia, and table along with it a 30,000-strong petition in support of legalising same-sex marriage.
The Marriage Act was amended under the Howard Government in 2004 to specify that marriage could be only a union between a man and a woman.
Results of a Galaxy poll commissioned by Australian Marriage Equality released last week showed 60 per cent of Australians agree that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry in Australia.
"The Greens' Marriage Equality Amendment Bill can bring Australia into the league of other forward-thinking nations who recognise that all couples should enjoy the right to marry," said Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on sexuality and gender identity.
"While last year we saw some historic leaps and bounds in removing discrimination against same-sex couples within this country's federal laws, there was a glaring omission from that suite of legislation: marriage.
"It's well and truly time our parliament rights this wrong and legislates for true equality."
The Greens' Bill will also repeal the prohibition of the recognition of same-sex marriages entered into overseas.
"It's ridiculous that a same-sex couple married in Canada, for example, can step off the plane at Sydney International Airport and have their marriage considered invalid," she said.
Senator Hanson-Young said the Australian community was broadly supportive of equal marriage, citing polls, petitions, and community attitudes
"I'll be tabling a petition of over 30,000 signatures in support of equal marriage rights this afternoon when I introduce the Bill," she said.
"The Rudd Government can no longer hide behind the lame excuse of the community not being ready for same-sex marriages happening in Australia - it's the Rudd Government who needs to catch up with public understanding.
"Australia cannot truly hold its head up high while exhorting the virtue of acceptance and celebrating diversity without equal marriage laws."
Media contact: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760
Copies of the Bill, its Explanatory Memorandum and Senator Hanson-Young's speech are available upon request.
Read more
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Lets work together
by Maurice Farrell and Rachel Evans • SX Letters • May 27, 2009
James from East Hills raises some great points and Community Action Against Homophobia (CAAH) welcomes the debate (Letters, May 21).
Same-sex marriage for us is a vital campaign to win, and having the input from as many community members as possible is important to chart the way forward.
CAAH welcomes all people to this campaign and would love to hear from community members in polyamorous relationships. We need to understand your needs and are not attempting to force anyone into any ‘ideal’ model of relationship. Read entire letter and comment
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More discussion needed
by James • SX Letters • May 20, 2009
Back when Howard brought in the marriage ban, CAAH was quick to condemn and mounted a campaign to challenge it on the basis of equality. The GLRL came in a little later, and found success with its 58 in '08 campaign. However, we are now seeing the consequences of such actions.
My question is whether or not the GLRL and CAAH have ever fully consulted the wider community and explained the ramifications of their actions. If they are going to be campaigning on the community’s behalf, it is simply not acceptable to only consult their membership bases, and even then, not to explain what will come of any change. Read entire letter and comment
