Learn your rights

The passing of the Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws – General Law Reform) Act 2008, and other laws, means that same-sex couples are now treated equally under the almost all laws at a federal level. In NSW we also saw the passing of the Miscellaneous Acts Amendment (Same-Sex Relationships) Act 2008 (NSW), which extended legal parenting presumptions to include lesbian co-mothers.
The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) understands that the next step on the road to equality is to ensure members of the community understand these reforms. Our community forums and surveys have shown that while many in our community have a good understanding of their new rights, others do not.
Late last year the GLRL was awarded a generous grant from the City of Sydney to increase public awareness of the recent federal and state reforms. The GLRL, with the assistance of the grant, has created a rights checklist to help the community understand the reforms. The GLRL has also developed a number of factsheets on the reforms. Both the checklist and easily printable factsheets are available from our website: www.glrl.org.au.
In addition to the checklist and factsheets, the GLRL is also holding a number of information evenings in November and early December which will cover a range of these reforms. The GLRL invites members of the community to attend the following information evenings:
• Tax and Superannuation: Tuesday, November 10, 6.30pm @ Columbian Hotel
• General overview: Monday, November 16, 6.30pm
@ Erskineville Town Hall
• Social Security: Monday, November 30, 6.30pm
@ Surry Hills Neighbourhood Community Centre
• Parenting: Monday, December 7, 6.30pm:
@ Glebe Town Hall
The GLRL will also hold an end of year/education campaign picnic in December. Further information on this event will be available shortly.
info: To RSVP for any of the information evenings email: [email protected], or phone: 9571 5501. Include your name, number of attendees, and which nights you wish to attend. For further information on the reforms, please visit our website: www.glrl.org.au.