CAAH's NYA Press Releases
30th Nov 2009
NYA launch a big success!
The launch of the National Year of Action for Marriage Equality was a big success nationwide.
Up to 1,500 people attended the Rally in Sydney, 2,500 in Melbourne, 200 braved the rain in Adelaide, 200 in Canberra, 100 in Lismore, 150 in Perth and 500 in Brisbane.
Sydney was privileged to hear from many high profile speakers including Senator Sarah-Hanson Young who received roaring applause from the audience as she announced in front of the crowds; “Get over it Rudd!”
Community Action Against Homophobia is looking forward to building a strong campaign for Marriage Equality during the National Year of Action.
CAAH co-convener Emilia Lawonski said: “This is the first year-long campaign of its kind in Australia’s history. We need to keep up the pressure on Rudd and his bigoted colleagues if we are to achieve full equality. This year is about taking our future into our own hands. We will put up the strongest fight ever seen for full equal marriage rights. If we don’t, conservative politicians will continue to trample on our basic human rights for as long as we allow it. Rudd wants us to remain as second-class citizens and if we don’t take decisive action now, we will continue to be second-class citizens in our country.”
CAAH co-convener Ben Cooper said "CAAH believes Saturdays' national rallies were a huge success and a fantastic start to the National Year of Action (NYA) in Australia. Seeing so many people of all walks of life standing together with the same simple demand was truly inspiring and the support of countless people on the street was a great reminder that the Australian public is behind us in our campaign for equality. The (NYA) launch is only the beginning of what we believe will be the most vibrant and historic campaign this country has ever seen for LGBTI rights and we look forward to working with the community throughout the Year"
To get involved in the campaign for Marriage Equality in Sydney e-mail caahsydney@gmail.com
Media contacts:
Ben Cooper 0412 325 231
Emilia Lawonski 0401 519 593
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20th Nov 2009
PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ALL ABOARD FOR THE NATIONAL YEAR OF ACTION - NOV 28!
Everything is in place for a successful launch of Community Action Against Homophobia's launch of the ‘National Year of Action’ for Equal Marriage rights in Sydney. Hundreds of people are expected to gather at Sydney Town Hall on Saturday Nov 28 to rally for same-sex marriage rights under the banner 'We've had the inquiry - Now pass the Bill!' Rally-Goers will be marching through Sydney's city centre as part of a national day of protest across Australia, occurring two days after the report on the senate inquiry into the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill is released.
CAAH Co-convener Emilia Lawonski said, “We don’t yet know what the Senate Committee on the inquiry into the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill will report on the 26th of November, but we do know that the case for same-sex marriage in Australia is stronger than ever before with an unprecedented level of support from the wider community. There have been many successful campaigns for relationship recognition across Australia such as most recently a win for civil unions in the ACT, but that is not enough. Only marriage equality is full equality and we won’t stop fighting until it is achieved.”
Ben Cooper CAAH Co-convener further stated; “Support for this action has been fantastic. This human rights issue is slowly building into an unstoppable campaign,
but in order for this historic event to have an impact we need every person possible to be there. Kevin Rudd wants to keep this issue out of the spot light and this will be achieved if we don't stand up and be counted. Update your facebook status, txt your friends, make sure everyone you know is informed and bring everyone you can. There has never been a better time to stand up for equality, so join us at Town Hall at 1pm Saturday November 28th.”
The Final line-up for the launch of the national year of action presents MC’s; dynamic duo queer journalist and activist Katrina Fox and Tracie O'Keefe - spokesperson for Sex and Gender Education (SAGE) two of Sydney's best know LGBTI personalities and speaking at the rally we have:
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young from the Australian Greens, Judy Brown President of PFLAG NSW, Alex Greenwich spokesperson for Australian Marriage Equality, Gina Wilson President of OII Australia (Organisation Intersex International Australia), Connor Montgomery – Trans rights activist and CAAH activist who recently won a landmark case for changing his gender on his Australian passport, Maree O’Halloran Director of the Welfare Rights Centre, Bejamin Keats and Kellie McDonald - conveners of the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby NSW, Heidi Claus NUS National Queer Officer, Michael Thompson National Tertiary Education Union CAAH conveners Ben Cooper and Emilia Lawonski and welcome to country by Aunty Shirley and Uncle Max Eulo Sydney Indigenous leaders.
CRAVE Metropolitan Community Church Pastor Karl Hand will also be on stand-by to conduct an illegal marriage ceremony for anyone wanting to take a stand for equality by getting hitched! CAAH is calling on all couples that want to be involved in the marriage ceremony to contact us at caahsydney@gmail.com or by registering online at www.caah.org.au
Rally details:
Launch of the National Year of Action for Marriage Equality
‘We’ve had the inquiry - Now pass the Bill”
Start 1pm Town Hall Saturday Nov 28
Go to www.caah.org.au for more details or e-mail caahsydney@gmail.com
Media Contacts:
CAAH Co-Conveners
Emilia Lawonski 0401 519 593 & Ben Cooper 0412 325 231
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9th Nov 2009
PRESS RELEASE: ACT wins civil unions, puts pressure on Rudd for marriage
Community Action Against Homophobia Sydney
www.caah.org.au
Community Action Against Homophobia (CAAH) welcomes the civil union victory in the ACT.
On Wednesday 11th of November the ACT legislative assembly will pass a Greens initiated private members bill in the ACT. This bill will add official ceremonies to civil partnership laws, that is – the bill will enact civil unions. One hundred people rallied in Canberra on Saturday 7th November to support the bill, and to warn Kevin Rudd and Federal Labor not to override it.
The ACT had its civil unions overidden by John Howard in June 2006 - and Kevin Rudd has not
indicated if he will do the same.
Emilia Lawonski said "We are excited by this win. If the ACT can have civil unions, why
can't every state? Importantly, it means we are a step closer to same-sex marriage rights.
The campaign won't stop at civil unions, we won’t stop until we win full equality."
Ben Cooper said "now Argentina and Italy are talking of passing same-sex marriage. And yet,
Australia still has this homophobic ban in place. Well, our campaigning has won us
civil unions in a small pocket of Australia - and we won't stop until we win marriage
rights and full equality and respect for all loving couples."
Canberra Equal Love John Kloprogge spokesperson said "Our rally in Canberra of 100 people
was a great turnout, so close after the successful last August 1st marriage rights rally. It demonstrates
this movement is stronger than ever. Its momentum is unstoppable. We expect rallies
on November 28 to be another big statement from the queer community to demand equality."
Actions in Sydney on November 28th will launch a year long campaign generating awareness over the ban on same-sex marriage and gathering the support from the community, which is substantial - a June Galaxy poll on same-sex marriage showed 57% of Australians in favor of same-sex marriage. This ACT civil union’s victory is a great achievement, and a great stepping stone on the road to the realization of full and equal rights!
CAAH is supporting the online same-sex marriage petition generated by Equal Love Canberra, whose aim is to collect 20,000 signatures by November 28.
We've Had the Inquiry - Now Pass the Bill!
Rally for Same-Sex Marriage.
1pm Saturday November 28, Sydney Town Hall
www.caah.org.au, caahsydney@gmail.com
Media Contacts: CAAH Co-Conveners Emilia Lawonski 0401 519 593 Ben Cooper - 0412 325 231 John Kloprogge - 0422 913 942
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2nd Nov 2009
PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Year of Action For Same-Sex marriage is Shaping up to be the strongest campaign for Marriage equality Australia has ever seen
Community Action Against homophobia is gearing up for a mass rally to launch the year of Action on the 28th of November.
CAAH is pleased to announce that Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young who introduced the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009 will be coming to Sydney to address the rally that will be starting at Town Hall from 1pm.
Rallies will be taking place all over Australia to launch a National Year of Action for Same-Sex Marriage and to demand that the Rudd government pass the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009, which is currently under a Senate Inquiry. The Senate Committee is due to present it’s report on the inquiry two days prior to the national demonstrations.
Senator Hanson-Young said in a statement: “It is important for people to turn out in numbers to the rally to show our leaders that we believe in equal marriage rights and that they can’t ignore this issue any longer.’’
Senator Hanson-Young also said that she had introduced her Private Member’s Bill because she believed it was time Federal Parliament debated this important issue:
“The public is clearly in favour of equal marriage and support is growing”
“I call on the Prime Minister, Mr Rudd and the Opposition Leader, Mr Turnbull, to allow for a debate on the bill, and to allow their members to have a conscience vote.’’
CAAH is also very excited to announce that the dynamic duo Katrina Fox and Tracie O’Keefe will be our MC’s for the day.
“After decades of campaigning to get rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and sex
and gender diverse people, it is both sad and appalling that as we approach
2010, we are still denied the right to marry and to have our relationships
formally recognised. We are thrilled to support CAAH’s year-long campaign to
secure marriage rights for all, and urge everyone to attend the event at Town
Hall this month to keep this important human rights issue in the public eye. All Australians are entitled to equality before the law regardless of their sex, gender or sexuality, including the right to marry who they wish”
- Tracie O’Keefe, spokesperson for Sex and Gender Education (SAGE), and
Katrina Fox, queer journalist and activist.
CAAH would also like to extend an invitation to the community to take up the opportunity to be illegally wed on the 28th of November following on with the huge success of the mass same-sex wedding on the first of August on the National Day of Action.
Ben Cooper, CAAH Co-convener said "CAAH will engage,
once again, in a massive display of same-sex loving disobedience. We
will illegally wed same-sex couples that wish to do so to show our love is not second rate."
Emilia Lawonski CAAH Co-convener said “The Launch on the 28th of November will just be the first of a packed year of actions campaigning for same-sex marriage. We’d like everyone to get involved in the campaign because it’s only through the community working together that we can achieve our goals for full equality. Please contact CAAH at caahsydney@gmail.com
Rallies and actions on November 28 are also taking place in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, lismore and Canberra.
CAAH will hold a speak-out for marriage rights 6pm Thursday November 5th on king St. at Newtown's 'I have a dream' mural.
We've Had the Inquiry - Now Pass the Bill! Rally for Same-Sex Marriage. 1pm Saturday November 28, Sydney Town Hall.
www.caah.org.au
Media Contacts:
CAAH Co-Conveners
Emilia Lawonski – 0401 519 593, Ben Cooper - 0412 325 231
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26th October 2009
PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SUPPORT CONTINUES TO GROW FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN NSW
Both NSW branches of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) will support and endorse the National Year of Action for Same-Sex Marriage.
Paul McAleer, Sydney Branch Secretary Maritime Union of Australia said:
“The MUA is proud to endorse activities and groups including Community Action Against Homophobia whose objectives are to eliminate discrimination in the community. The MUA Sydney Branch endorses the action on November 28 in which there are nationwide calls and activities to end the oppressive and reactionary legislation that forbids marriage between two consenting adults. The MUA Sydney Branch supports same-sex marriage and we call upon all those in the community and in Government to recognise what should be a universal human right and legislate away forever the prejudice and discrimination that currently exists. The MUA Sydney Branch will continue to support activities in an ongoing way until this overdue objective is achieved.’
Community Action Against Homophobia is organising Sydney ’s actions for the National Year of Action beginning with a mass demonstration to launch the year of Campaigning on November 28th to demand the passing of the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009 and 2 days after the report on the Senate Inquiry on the Bill is Released. Start Town Hall 1pm .
Ben Cooper, CAAH Co-convenor said, “It is great to see unions supporting the same-sex marriage campaign. Many union members are part of the LGBTI community and want their union to support their basic human rights.”
Emilia Lawonski, CAAH co-convenor said “It is clear that the topic of marriage equality has never been hotter than it is now and support for the campaign has never been more overwhelming as was evident at CAAH’s speak out for marriage equality last Thursday at Taylor Square. The response from the community was incredible with hundreds of petitions signed and many confirming their attendance on Nov 28th. We urge everyone to get involved in the campaign. Our next speak out will be from 6pm in Newtown by the ‘I have a dream’ Mural on the 5th of November”
Other groups that have endorsed the action in Sydney include the Greens, PFLAG, Australian Marriage Equality, Socialist Alliance, Socialist Alternative, Dayenu NSW, Dykes on Bikes and we hope to have more groups on board soon! Student organisations are also putting their full weight behind the campaign with both umbrella organizations, the National Union of Students, The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA), have signed on for the National Year of Action as well as student representative organisations at Sydney University, UNSW, UWS, UTS and Wollongong University.
To get involved in the campaign e-mail the conveners on caahsydney@gmail. com or go to www.caah.org. au
Photograph included: CAAH hosting a speak out at Taylor square Thursday 22nd October
Media contacts
CAAH conveners:
Emilia Lawonski 0401 519 593 & Ben Cooper 0412 325 231
Paul McAleer can be contacted for comment: MUA Sydney Branch Secretary Mobile: 0417 468 424, Office: 02 9265 8433
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12th October 2009
PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAAH CALLS FOR A STRONG, UNITED CAMPAIGN FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN NSW
With the launch of the National Year of Action for Same-Sex Marriage just around the corner on the 28th of November CAAH is calling for a more united and collaborative campaign for Same-Sex Marriage among peak LGBTI organisations in NSW.
CAAH Co-Convener Ben Cooper stated “Over the last year we have seen a very positive shift in the community’s response to campaigning for same-sex marriage especially with the most encouraging turn out to a national day of action for same-sex marriage on August 1st this year with Sydney drawing a record 3,000 people and a total of 10, 000 Australia wide, but we still have a long way to go. To make this a strong and successful year of campaigning peak LGBTI organisations need to work together to achieve this goal.”
CAAH would like to thank the GLRL for their response last Friday to our concerns about their campaign for civil marriage.
CAAH Co-Convener Emilia Lawonski stated “We are still concerned by the lobby’s use of the term ‘civil marriage’ as marriage in Australia is already a civil institution with the majority of marriages in Australia performed by a civil celebrant. We see the use of the word civil as unnecessary and are concerned that civil marriage would exclude same-sex couples that choose to do so from entering into a religious marriage and this being unrecognised by the law. If same-sex couples are only legally able to enter into a ‘civil marriage’ we are still falling short on full equal rights for same-sex couples”
CAAH is encouraged by the GLRL’s new willingness to work together with other groups and CAAH would like to invite the GLRL to a meeting to discuss the same-sex marriage campaign:
Emilia Lawonski stated “We’d love to meet with the GLRL to discuss the same-sex marriage campaign and the GLRL’s campaign for civil marriage and hope that we can combine our strengths by working together on this issue. We’d also like to invite the GLRL to officially endorse and get involved in the National Year of Action for same-sex marriage. CAAH would also like to further extend this invitation to larger organisations like ACON, Twenty10 and New Mardi Gras that certainly have the potential to boost the campaign substantially. We are optimistic about growing support for the campaign and we encourage all supportive groups to contact CAAH about getting involved in and endorsing the NYA for Same-Sex marriage”
NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH IN AMERICA
CAAH Co-Convener Ben Cooper stated that we should look at the example of the Gay rights movement in America and the incredible show of force during the mass demonstration the ‘National Equality March’ on October 11.
Cooper said “The National Equality March that drew a quarter of a million protesters from around America on Sunday is pressuring President Obama on many LGBTI rights issues including same-sex marriage. The US has been successful in it’s campaigns for same-sex marriage across many states and we should study their campaigns so we can learn new ways to work together more effectively to build a strong NYA for Same Sex Marriage”
Ben will be giving a talk about the movement in America at CAAH’s next meeting.
The National Year of Action for Same-Sex Marriage will be launched by a mass action starting at Town Hall at 1pm just 2 days after the report on the inquiry into the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill is released.
If your community group or organisation would like to be involved in the National Year Of Action for Same-Sex Marriage or if you would like more information e-mail caahsydney@gmail. com or go to our website www.caah.org.au.
Media Contacts:
CAAH Co-Conveners
Ben Cooper 0412 325 231
Emilia Lawonski 0401 519 593
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5th October 2009
PRESS RELEASE
Answering the critics – why we need a campaign for Same Sex Marriage
Recently there have been several letters in the queer press and directly to the campaign group arguing that we should not be fighting for full marriage equality, but instead we should pull back from our demands and go for the lesser demand of same sex civil unions.
Indeed, we have heard that the NSW GLRL, rather than openly and actively supporting the equal marriage campaign, are to embark on a “community education campaign” to raise the term “civil marriage”, as though this will somehow assuage the most conservative elements of society that same sex marriage is OK, as long as it's not a religious union.
Community Action Against Homophobia (CAAH) and the Equal Love Campaign nationally reject these calls as cowardly and defeatist. Emilia Lawonski from CAAH said; “I can't understand why members of the LGBTI community have chosen now to get cold feet, just as the campaign is really starting to hit high gear! It's like they want us to fight for the right to sit in the second row of the bus. It's important for LGBTI people and especially young LGBTI people to know they are valued equally in society. Some people may want a civil union or may never want to be married at all, but that should not stop those who want that right from doing so.”
Ben Cooper, CAAH activist said ;“The only way we can win is by keeping up the struggle for full marriage equality. It's a fact that in today's society, marriage is considered the highest standing for a relationship, and LGBTI relationships should have every right, the same rights to participate in marriage if they so chose. To restrict the kinds of relationships open to LGBTI people, or to accept anything less than full marriage rights, is to accept the minority position that we are not good enough and our relationships are second class. The support for full equality in the wider community grows every day, both here and internationally. On October 10-11, the Million March for Equality will march on Washington to demand full protection under the law in every aspect of the law. Here in Australia, we should be fighting for no less than full equality.””
Some of the most active supporters of this campaign have been young people, especially students, and the campaign has been endorsed by the National Union of Students (NUS) and many affiliate student organisations. Heidi Claus, NUS Queer Officer said; “We are about to launch a National Year of Action (NYA) for same sex marriage rights on November 28 with a rally at town hall. We're not about to lose the momentum that has been building these last five years or so since Howard explicitly banned same sex marriage. This campaign is about civil rights. If we win same sex marriage, the conservative bigots know that it opens the door to getting rid of ALL forms of discrimination against Lesbians and Gays, Bi-Sexual, Trans and Intersex people. The recent smear campaign against Caster Semenya really highlighted the need for us to keep fighting, and not to slink back into the closet and accept the crumbs some members of the elite may care to throw our way. We shall not be intimidated, the growing campaign is testament to the fact that our demands are just, and wholly attainable.”
The next rally for Same Sex Marriage will be 1pm Saturday November 28 at Sydney Town Hall
For more information contact:
Emilia Lawonski – 0401 519 593
Ben Cooper - 0412 325 231
Heidi Claus (NUS) – 0419 377 396
or email CAAH on caahsydney@gmail. com
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21 September 2009
PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAAH GEARS UP FOR A YEAR OF ACTION FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
With the success of the National Day of Action for Same-Sex Marriage on August 1 that drew more than 10,000 protesters across Australia, LGBTI activist groups have decided to continue to push forward for equality with a 'Year of Action for Same-Sex Marriage'.
Groups are planning to launch the year with a major action on the 28th of November; just two days after the Senate Committee on the inquiry into same-sex marriage is due to present its final report. So far actions have been confirmed in Perth , Brisbane , Canberra , Lismore, Melbourne , Adelaide and Sydney .
CAAH will be organising the mass action in Sydney , which will start at Town Hall from 1pm.
The senate committee on the inquiry into same-sex marriage has reportedly received the most submissions of any inquiry conducted in Australia and an overwhelming number of submissions in favour of legalising same-sex marriage exceeding 10,000.
CAAH co-convener Ben Cooper stated “Whatever the outcome of the report, CAAH will be taking to the streets to demand full equality for same-sex couples. This means the immediate repeal of the homophobic ban on same-sex marriage”
Organisers believe this year of action will be the largest, most vibrant and historic campaign this country has ever seen for the rights of LGBTI Australians.
CAAH co-convener Emilia Lawonski Stated: “It is clear that the tide of public opinion has long turned in favour of legalising same-sex marriage in Australia . This is evident through the overwhelming number of submissions submitted to the Senate inquiry into the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill in favour of legalising same-sex marriage and the recent galaxy poll that shows 60% of Australians also support this move. It’s about time this shift in public opinion is recognised by the government and that’s what the year of action aims to achieve”
Ben Cooper further stated, "The days of being treated as second class citizens and growing up invisible has come to an end. For too long we have been treated as if our deepest feelings, our love and our families are second-rate, abnormal, unnatural and distorted. For too long we have been bullied, bashed, censored, raped, rejected and tortured. For too long we have been repressed, marginalised, vilified and silenced. For too long we have been told we're not equal. But for this change to occur we need as many people as possible to be involved in the campaign, starting with the protest on 28th November."
CAAH would like to invite all members of the community to become involved in the campaign. For more information or to get involved e-mail caahsydney@gmail. com or visit www.caah.org.au
Media Contacts
CAAH Co-conveners:
Ben Cooper 0412 325 231
Emilia Lawonski 0401 519 593
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