Another Labor voice for gay marriage

Labor’s Sydney Lord Mayoral candidate, Dr Meredith Burgmann welcomed the latest federal push for same-sex equality, but added civil unions and marriage should be a right for all too.

I congratulate the Rudd government for delivering on its election pledge, but these reforms do not go far enough, Burgmann said.

I call on the Rudd government to commit to civil unions for Australia, that are open to all. And if marriage is to remain a state-sanctioned activity, then it should unequivocally and unapologetically be made available to same-sex couples.

While discrimination against same-sex couples at-law continues, there can be no equality. Same-sex couples will remain second-class citizens.

The former president of the NSW upper house said she attended the first Mardi Gras in 1978 and has done so ever since to fight for gay rights.

I cannot believe we are still having arguments about clear-cut cases of cold-hearted discrimination and that the battle against ignorance and prejudice continues. Enough is enough -“ it must stop now.