Innes to march

Human Rights Commissioner Graeme Innes and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma will join the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade on Saturday to celebrate the legislation, passed at the end of last year, that removes discrimination against same-sex couples across almost all Commonwealth laws.

What better place to celebrate this historic achievement for gay and lesbian people and for equality, than in the Mardi Gras parade, Commissioner Innes said.

I am extremely proud that the Australian Government not only took recommendations from our Same-Sex: Same Entitlements report and made them law, but went beyond the 58 items of legislation we identified and changed many more.

In honour of this achievement, the Australian Human Rights Commission has its own float in the parade for the first time this year. Commissioner Calma and Commissioner Innes will drive in a car, joined by staff members who will be marching around and behind it.

The visual theme will feature the blue cover image from the Same-Sex: Same Entitlements report with a red tick through it.

This legislation is an example of the incredible outcome that can be achieved by the Australian Human Rights Commission by working and consulting with the community, Commissioner Calma said.

The Mardi Gras essentially began as a march for equality, so there is no more perfect place to shine a light on this outstanding social achievement.

Last year, Commissioner Innes and staff joined the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby float as a means of promoting the need to apply the recommendations from the Same-Sex: Same Entitlements report into law.

Commissioner Innes said it was a triumphant feeling to have marched in the parade last year in hope and advocacy for an outcome that he and staff were marching to celebrate 12 months later.