Gaily Observer: Labor binding vote on gay marriage questioned | Singers unite for marriage equality album | Tom Daley on attraction to guys
Binding vote on marriage equality questioned in lead up to Labor Party National Conference
AHEAD of the Labor Party National Conference starting this Friday (July 24), NSW opposition leader Luke Foley has expressed his concern for party unity over the marriage equality debate.
[showads ad=MREC]”Clearly a majority of people in the party support same-sex marriage being legislated for in the commonwealth government,” he told Sky News on Sunday.
“But I won’t support taking away from Labor’s parliamentarians the ability to exercise their own conscience when these matters come before the parliament.”
In February Foley told Fairfax Media he is “now at a point where I’m willing to give my support to a change to the law, to the [federal] Marriage Act, so as to provide for same-sex marriage”.
However, he believes there should be a conscience vote on the matter instead of the binding vote in favour as proposed by some Labor MPs, including deputy opposition leader Tanya Plibersek.
Are we gay – as in happy? New Australian study suggests otherwise
University of Melbourne’s Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research has published a study that reveal gay people are less fulfilled with their lives than straight people, have more health problems and are not as happy in their relationships.
The findings contained in the annual Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey determined people’s happiness based on their sexual identity.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the survey quizzed 17,000 participants about their home and family life, health, education and employment. It found the 400 people who identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) reported lower levels of life satisfaction and overall wellbeing.
LGB people fared worse than heterosexual people on all wellbeing and social support measures, producing data that suggests discrimination and hostility towards same-sex attracted people have direct implications for health and wellbeing.
One third of gay men smoke, compared to one fifth of straight men. Meanwhile, 26.8 per cent of gay women smoke, almost double the rate of straight women.
Straight men did more exercise than those who identified as gay but were also more likely to let themselves go, with a higher number being overweight or obese.
However, gay men fared better in economic wellbeing, lesbians tend to be more educated than heterosexual women and gay men were more likely to hold a bachelor’s degree than their straight counterparts.
The survey also suggests that gay people have more money overall. The mean weekly income reported was highest for heterosexual men ($1265), followed by gay men ($1006), while lesbians ($778) on average earned more than heterosexual women ($676).
The report observed gay people were less likely to live with a partner and when they did were not as happy as straight people.
H/T: SMH
Tom Daley talks about being attracted to men
British Olympic diver Tom Daley has said during an interview with The Guardian that he always knew he was always attracted to guys.
He also confirmed his relationship with Dustin Lance Black is his first with a man.
According to the interview, it was love at first sight when he met Black in 2013.
“I always knew that I had that attraction to guys, but I just thought that was a usual thing, being attracted to guys and girls. It was only when I met Lance I started having such strong feelings,” he said.
The interview also revealed that Black encouraged him to come out.
“He was supportive, but it never got to a point where he said, ‘you should do something about coming out.’ He was just always there, supportive. At no point was he at all pushy,” Daley said.
Aussie stars create marriage equality album
JIMMY Barnes, Joe Camilleri, John Butler Trio, Katie Noonan and The Cat Empire have joined forces to create an album in support of marriage equality.
#SayYesToLove Vol 1 was released digitally through iTunes last Friday, and stormed the top 10 of its digital chart that day.
In a press statement from Australian Marriage Equality, Barnes said: “This is about basic human rights. No one has the right to tell someone who they can love, or how they can express their love.”
The complete track listing is:
1. Josh Pyke – Make You Happy
2. The Basics – What Do You See In Me?
3. John Butler Trio – Losing You
4. All Our Exes Live In Texas – Our Love Won’t Die
5. Katie Noonan’s Vanguard – Peace Is My Drug
6. C Major and Veneno – Por Tu Amor (acoustic version)
7. The Cat Empire – Still Young
8. Joe Camilleri – A Fool And The Moon
9. Jimmy Barnes – Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)
10.Darren Percival – Lovelife
11.Playwrite – Whittaker
12.Wes Carr – People Of Peace
13.L-FRESH THE LION feat. Mirrah – The World Is Ours
14.Woodes x Elkkle – Muddy
15.Khanz – Deerhunter
16.Michael McGlynn – Diamond
17.Hannah Robinson – Realistically
18.Holden Brothers Travelling Circus feat. Dallas Holden & Katie Holden – Flying
19.The Blackbird Collective – No Other Plan
20.Bronte – My Word
21.Fiona Joy – Grace (Chill Version)
