AG to share stories with PM

Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland has committed to sharing the stories of parents of gay and lesbian Australians with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the Parliament after lunching with marriage equality advocates in Brisbane today.

PFLAG national spokeswoman Shelly Argent said the group of parents, from all over Queensland, had come to lunch with the Attorney-General to share their views on why their children should be treated equality and fairly under the Marriage Act.

“We greatly appreciate the undertaking that Mr McClelland made to share these stories with his colleagues, including the Prime Minister,” Argent said, “All we want is for our sons and daughters to be treated equally by the law.”

The room included mums and dads agesd from 45 to 82, who came to Brisbane to ask the Attorney-General for equal protection and recognition for their children.

Also at the lunch were representatives from Australian Marriage Equality (AME), including National Convener Alex Greenwich, who welcomed the open approach the Attorney-General took at the lunch.

“All the parents at the lunch greatly respected the Attorney-General for listening to their family’s story,” Greenwich said, “He thanked them and added that it is these personal stories that will make the difference in the debate.”

Greenwich said many parents acknowledged the work of the current government in removing financial discrimimination against their gay and lesbian children, but marriage had to be the ultimate goal.

“Those who attended the lunch agreed that civil unions were not the solution, and all state that families valued and respected the instituation of marriage, despite the arguments of those that oppose marriage equality,” Greenwich said.

The lunch with McClelland comes as it has been revealed that the day that MPs will report back on their consultations with constituents on the issue has been moved forward to August 24.

The original date for MPs to report back had been August 17 and far right Christian groups and opponents of same-sex marriage had organised a rally and function at the Parliament on August 16 to pressure MPs.

However now supporters of same-sex marriage will have an additional week to contact their local members.

You can contact your local member and senators using a webform on the AME website HERE.