Groups optimistic about Gillard
GLBTI rights groups have reacted with cautious optimism to Julia Gillard becoming Australia’s 27th prime minister.
Australian Coalition for Equality’s Corey Irlam pointed to Gillard’s past track record on protecting gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the area of workplace discrimination.
“We understand that Ms Gillard has a history of quiet support for GLBT issues,” Irlam said.
“Ms Gillard’s election provides an opportunity for our community to have constructive conversations with her and her new ministry about why we need federal protections from discrimination on grounds such as relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex.
“[But] only time will tell if Ms Gillard’s strength of conviction will prevail over the conservative or religious views of the powerbrokers who helped her get her new job.”
Australian Marriage Equality’s Alex Greenwich told Sydney Star Observer his group would suspend its pamphleting activities targeting Labor MPs, as a sign of goodwill to the new prime minister.
AME has written to Gillard, asking her to implement the findings of last year’s Senate inquiry into same-sex marriage which called for federal authorities to provide Australian couples with the documentation they need to wed overseas, and to establish a Law Reform Commission inquiry into the issue.
“We are hopeful Prime Minister Gillard will be more open to discussing marriage equality than her predecessor, Kevin Rudd, and so we have asked for a meeting to put our case,” Greenwich said.
NSW GLRL policy and development coordinator Senthorun Raj said, as a non-partisan organisation, the Lobby did not support any particular candidate or party.
“However, the GLRL urges the new prime minister, Julia Gillard, to act immediately on her comments about promoting greater tolerance, and introduce comprehensive federal legislation to protect people on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity,” Raj said. “We also hope the new Gillard Government will reconsider its policy stance on marriage equality, and reform the Marriage Act to permit all couples, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, the right to marry.”
However, Ben Cooper of Community Action Against Homophobia was less hopeful.
“CAAH Sydney believes that Julia Gillard won the leadership with the support of the anti-gay right within the Labor Party and she will be beholden to their agenda,” Cooper said.
“We hope she will be supportive of issues such as same-sex marriage but we are not optimistic that this will occur any time soon.”
Dave, I think your comment makes perfect sense, and I share your anger. Perhaps when she was talking to Kerry O’Brien on the 7.30 Report on her first day as PM, she meant to say, “it’s a great day for rednecks.”
it was with great sadness I read this morning’s news about Chancellor Guillard’s dicision to not support equal rights for us. I honestly thought my partner was kidding when he told me about this yesterday. Now what do we do? Do we resort to ratbag, poofter demonstrations? Do we continue begging? nz SEEM TO BE LIGHT YEARS AHEAD OF US IN MANY RESPECTS. i’M VERY QUIKLY BECOMING EMBARRASSED BEING A GAY Australian. Thank the goddess my veil is pink to hide the colour of my cheeks.
Still with bountiful love from Hell xo
I think Dave is right on this. She is offering no end to the discrimination at all. What are older people to do.
It looks like Ben is a Labor stooge. Reality is Juliia is not talking about civil unions, she is giving us nothing for her term of government. Could Ben point out where that policy of hers?
Dave, your postings are increasingly irrationale and disturbing. They make 2GB a welcome alternative.
Perhaps the Labor Right should setup Suicide Clinics, as when we are older we are expected to go back into the closet, with legal discrimination of us in Nursing homes. They have no respect at all for our community.
Gillard has blood on her hands. This queen is voting Green.
The United Kingdom and New Zealand have done fine with civil partnerships – the “marriage or nothing” position needs to be re-thought.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/gillard-against-gay-marriage-20100630-zkcj.html
The Wicked Witch of the Western suburbs has finally spoken on plans to continue discrimination against our community.
In a recent interview the new replacement Redneck Prime Minister of Australia, let us know she is planning no law reform in the many areas of discrimination we suffer. She has said she has done enough for our community and will in addition uphold the ban on Same-Sex Marriage.
Let us look at what old Rusty Crutch has done. She sold out from the Labor Left to the Labor Extreme Right, also known as the Australian Christian Lobby. Not bad for an atheist; I do not follow God I just hate Gays like they do. She gave her partner a job that you and I could not get as a Health Ambassador for Nicola Roxon, and she also refused to condemn Israel as she allowed her partner to get a job with a lobbyist for Israel. It seems old Rusty crutch has become addicted to power like the rest of the bastards.
This two faced bitch has sold us out. She is not fit to be Prime Minister. Let’s make sure she does not get our vote.
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/australias-prime-minister-julia-gillard-does-not-support-legalising-gay-marriage/story-e6frfku0-1225886049153
But she believes that marriage is Strictly between a man and a woman… she told me herself…