The right to marry

The right to marry

Last Wednesday Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young re-introduced her Marriage (Equality) Amendment Bill. The Bill seeks to remove discriminatory definitions in the Marriage Act to give all couples, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, the right to marry.

Hanson-Young introduced the legislation into the Senate, fulfilling an election promise, and the next step to push the major parties to allow a conscience vote on the issue. A petition has already been circulated calling on people to sign and lobby their MPs to demand a conscience vote.

In response to the Bill, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said, “The Labor Party has a clear position on the Marriage Act, that is a party position, so you should expect to see the Labor Party voting as a political party, in unison, if that proposition comes to the Parliament … I’m saying the word ‘if’ deliberately. Of course, there are members making suggestions about what private members’ propositions they are interested in thinking about pursuing”.

The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby believes that marriage is a civil institution, governed by secular laws, to which all people should have access, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The right to marry is one of the rights enjoyed in a liberal democratic society. The current discrimination in the Marriage Act carries a concerning social message that same-sex relationships are inferior and not deserving of the same respect and recognition as relationships between consenting heterosexual adults.

Since the passing of the 2008 federal law reforms, same-sex de facto couples enjoy the same rights and are subject to the same responsibilities as heterosexual couples at a federal level, except for the right to marry. It is unjust not to grant comparable recognition to same-sex relationships through the institution of marriage.

Australia is falling behind many nations including Iceland, Argentina, Canada, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, and South Africa, as well as Mexico City and five US states, which have now granted same-sex couples the right to marry.

To add your name to the Greens petition calling on Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott to give the members of the Labor and Liberal parties a conscience vote on marriage equality visit: www.sarah-hanson-young.greensmps.org.au/content/petition/reintroducing-marriage-equality-amendment-bill.

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One response to “The right to marry”

  1. Come on Julia and Tony, stop your “flirtatious flirting” and lets “move forward” on equality and a fair go on marriage for all Australians!!!!!