Get involved
When you’re involved in community politics and activism it’s sometimes easy to get bogged down in all that we are still yet to achieve – like full marriage equality and comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation.
But to enable us to continue to fight the good fight, we should take time out occasionally to consider how far we’ve come.
In the short time since the NSW Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) was established in 1988, we’ve successfully campaigned for real improvements in the recognition of same-sex relationships and families.
In 1999 and 2008 we led the process for the recognition of same-sex de facto relationships in NSW and federally, which granted same-sex couples equal rights in areas including property, inheritance, tax, super, immigration, Medicare, aged care, veterans’ and defence entitlements, family law and child support.
In 2008 and 2010 we successfully lobbied for the recognition of lesbian co-mothers as well as adoption and surrogacy reforms.
The GLRL have also worked to ensure the human rights of lesbians and gay men were better protected and respected, lobbying for the introduction of homosexual anti-vilification legislation in 1993 and equal age of consent in 2003.
Looking back on these reforms, gives us the encouragement and confidence to continue to work towards further reform and the GLRL will continue to lobby for equality and social justice for lesbians, gay men and their families – but we need your support.
As a small, predominantly volunteer-based organisation, the GLRL relies on the generosity of community members to fund our work.
There are a number of ways you can support the GLRL. You can become a member of the GLRL by visiting our website www.glrl.org.au and downloading and completing membership form. Annual membership is only $25 or $10 for concessions, $50 for gay and lesbian organisations or $150 for other businesses.
Membership entitles you to a say in the strategic direction of the GLRL and discounts to GLRL events, such as our regular Rights Nights, and our Mardi Gras Float.
You can also donate money to the GLRL by visiting our website.
INFO: GLRL invites community members to our ‘Uncloseting Discrimination’ consultation on disability on Monday 22 August at Surry Hills Library, 405 Crown St. To RSVP, please email Senthorun Raj at [email protected].
The venue is wheelchair accessible and an Auslan interpreter will be attending.
By KELLIE MCDONALD, NSW GLRL
