Queensland equality takes a step backwards
The Queensland Government has introduced new discrimination against same-sex couples in state parenting legislation.
Adoption was restricted to married couples only, but will now extend to heterosexual de facto couples in the bill introduced to the Queensland Parliament last week.
Newly added criteria for adoption state that the couple may not be same-sex, pregnant, or have undergone fertility treatment in the previous six months.
Queenslanders have clearly told us the current adoption laws are not fair, we have listened, and we are responding with significant reform, Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech said in a statement.
These reforms are in line with the Bligh Government’s vision for a fairer Queensland.
PFLAG Brisbane was unimpressed with the limited scope of that vision and asked them to look again at the recent Galaxy Poll showing Queenslanders were ready to accept same-sex couples as equal parents. The same poll showed 60 percent also supported civil unions.
Same-sex couples and their children are now recognised federally thanks to the Rudd Government. It’s now time for the next Queensland Government, regardless of the party elected to govern, to grant these families the same rights and responsibilities as their heterosexual families enjoy, PFLAG Brisbane president Shelley Argent said.
Psychologist Paul Martin said the archaic laws validate homophobic behaviours and can lead to damage, suicide and substance abuse among GLBT people.
Changing these laws sends a very powerful message to our community that gays and lesbians are no longer considered disordered or incapable of being everything a heterosexual person can be.
Neither the Labor Government nor the opposition Nationals have made any commitment to reduce discrimination or introduce same-sex relationship recognition in the next term. Queensland will go to the polls no later than 5 December 2009.
Oh how I wish we had US-style civil-initiated referenda for the states! *sigh* one can only hope one day some polly is stupid enough to give us citizens some power ;).
An election where the only real contenders are the Liberal/National Party! They’re even MORE conservative.
God, I hate this country sometimes. Grow the F**K up, Australia; wake up and join the 21st century!
Well there is an Election happening there remember!
Your paper continues to publish stories about this backward state yet still no calls for an investigation.from the premier down homophobia and racism are ignored.Could someone of the calibre of Michael Kirby look at some of the issues in Queensland.All I received after a brutal and sustained attack was ‘get over it’I have moved on but at great personal cost.I will continue to to warn people of the dangers of being Gay Black or ethnic in this state.
Ive lived in Queensland. It felt like Penrith with Palm trees and so full of Moral Crusaders. Ouch!!!
Reminds me why I’ll never visit/move up there. Suggested slogan “Queensland The Backward State”.
The Queensland government will also not reconise same-sex couples for surrogacy and as it stands, the age of consent for vaginal intercourse in Queensland is sixteen, but is eighteen for anal intercourse. Having homosexual intercourse with a sixteen or seventeen-year-old male in Queensland is a criminal offence, and can attract a seven year jail term, so the sodomy law gags gay teens from openly admiting a sexual relationship as a homophobic parent/friend/family member could go to the police.