Amnesty International Australia

"Amnesty International supports all initiatives to end discrimination in marriage laws based on sexual orientation or gender identity."
 

Senator Bob Brown
Leader OF THE AUSTRALIAN GREENS

"In the 1950s there was a song which claimed 'Love and marriage...go together like a horse and carriage'. In the 2010s same-sex couples in Australia are treated like we are still in the horse and carriage age - and no marriage with love. The Greens will continue to campaign against the Rudd Government's regressive thinking."
 

Rev Robert Clarke
Metropolitan Community Church, Good Shepherd, Granville NSW

"MCC supports your initiative 'civil marriage for same-sex couples' wholeheartedly."
 

Stevie Clayton OAM
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, AIDS COUNCIL OF NSW (ACON)

"In the last 30 years there have been many steps in the process towards equality. Those currently before parliament are undoubtedly the most significant and once passed, we need to pause for a moment to reflect on how far we've come, to remember those who worked so hard but didn't get to see this change and to thank those who made it possible. But having done that, we cannot rest again until we have all of the same rights as every other citizen of Australia, including the right to marry. To accept less would be to accept that our relationships are worth less, and by extension that we are worth less. The fact that we will ultimately get the right to marry becomes more inevitable with each passing day but how long it takes will depend on how hard we work for it. We can't just leave it to groups like AME to do all the work. We all have to talk to everyone we can, everyday, until we make a difference."

The Hon Bill Hayden AC KSJ

FORMER GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF AUSTRALIA

Rev Leanne Jenski
BLACKWOOD UNITING Church, SA

"I am looking forward to being able to marry my female partner of 13 years as soon as it is legal...and it will be a church wedding too as my partner Rev Susan Wickham is also a minister, with Goodwood Uniting Church, SA!"

The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG
FORMER Judge, high court of australia

"It is the question that has been addressed by the highest courts in New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and States of the United States. Acknowledging the right of religions to do as they please in their own spaces, upon what principle is a legal civil status allowed to some citizens but denied to others. In a secular nation how can such a denial be justified, except by history or religion? History alone is not a good enough explanation. Miscegenation laws until 1967 denied marriage to people of different races in parts of the United States. The Nuremburg laws in Germany denied marriage between Aryans and Jews. The law can do what it pleases, subject to constitutional and human rights. So we have not seen the end of this debate in Australia. The direction of history, at least in countries like our own, seems to be in favour of the abiding principle of the equality of citizens of all ages, races, colours, creeds and sexualities."

Chas Licciardello
The Chaser, ABC TV

"I cannot believe that we live in a society where gays can't get married. It seems to me like something that should have been taken care of a hundred years ago. I'm amazed that it hasn't happened yet, but I'm sure it will. The whole system seems very antiquated at the moment."

Cr Shayne Mallard
CITY OF SYDNEY COUNCILLOR (LIB)

"Gay relationships in Australia are officially and legally stigmatised as not worthy of acceptance or celebration. Committed unions of two adults should be acknowledged and celebrated by society without fear and resentment. We are reminded that less than a century ago, marriages between the races and across religions were prohibited by law in many nations. It is only a matter of time before this discrimination against same-sex couples is consigned to the history pages as well."

Maritime Union of Australia Sydney Branch

"The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) Sydney Branch would like to congratulate Australian Marriage Equality for your campaign to achieve marriage equality. The MUA has been able to secure conditions of employment for same-sex couples in a number of workplaces and will continue our efforts to secure these outcomes in every workplace. The denial of rights and opportunities on the basis of sexuality is something that modern societies cannot justify. The MUA commits to supporting your organisation wherever possible to fulfil your objective of marriage equality for all people and wishes you every success."

Julie McCrossin
JOURNALIST AND BROADCASTER

"Equality before the law for all citizens is a fundamental principle of democracy. Throughout my adult life we have been fighting to achieve equality and fair treatment. We have made significant progress. One day the definition of marriage in the Marriage Act will be amended to allow same-sex couples to marry. Our children, Luke 19 and Amelia 16, have been asking us, 'Why don't you get married?' since they were very small. Let's hope they don't go grey waiting for it to happen! I'd love to live long enough to see it, so I can finally pop the question to my partner of 12 years, Melissa Gibson."

Bob McMullin MP

MEMBER FOR FRASER (ALP)

Matthew Mitcham
AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST

"Kevin Rudd’s opinion of marriage as something that’s only between a man and a woman is quite narrow-minded. During the election campaign he was all about appearing young and cool, but his views on gay marriage make him look quite old-fashioned."

Cr Clover Moore MP
LORD MAYOR OF SYDNEY

"I know many same-sex couples who are in long lasting, committed relationships and want their relationships to be celebrated and supported through formal recognition. All adult couples who want to voluntarily and formally commit should be able to marry. I support AME's objectives to achieve this."

Rev Dr Leigh Neighbour
Metropolitan Community Church, BRISBANE

"As pastor of Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) Brisbane, I believe that any person who wishes to enter into a civil marriage should have the right to do so. Marriage equality is a civil rights and justice issue".

The Hon Alastair Nicholson AO RFD QC
Former Chief Justice, Family Court of Australia

"The Government’s recent legislation to proscribe same-sex marriage is, in my view, one of the most unfortunate pieces of legislation that has ever been passed by the Australian Parliament."

Judy Nunn
ACTOR AND AUTHOR

"I strongly support equal marriage."

Jason O'Brien MP
Member for Cook (ALP), Queensland Parliament

"People in love should be able to commit to each other with equal legal rights."

Parents and Friends Of Lesbians and Gays (PLFAG Australia)
SHELLEY ARGENT AM, SPOKESPERSON

"PFLAG parents fully support the belief that marriage is the ultimate goal for many in long term same-sex relationships. Marriage provides for same-sex partners the symbolism, instant recognition and respect that heterosexual siblings take for granted. We acknowledge that not all same-sex couples want marriage but it should be seen as an option and a human right for those choosing to celebrate their love and commitment to each other."

The Hon Bronwyn Pike MP
VIC MINISTER FOR EDUCATION

"I support same-sex marriage, I have for many, many years. I believe that a civilised society is a society that is inclusive and is a society that affords the same human rights, the same access to justice, the same equality under the law for every single one of its citizens."

Senator Louise Pratt
ALP SENATOR FOR WA

"I look forward to a time when we have removed at a federal level all discrimination on the grounds of gender identity and sexuality, a time when my partner isn’t denied a passport because his gender’s not recognised under our laws, when my friends’ children all enjoy the same rights and protections under Commonwealth law, regardless of whether their parents are straight or gay, and a time when my gay and lesbian friends who wish to be legally married can be."

Dr Ka Chun Tse
DIRECTOR OF MEDical services
central gippsland health service & bairnsdale regional health service

"I would like to confirm my support for marriage equality. I think it represents the core human values of fairness and justice. Equality benefits everyone in the community by allowing all to full participate in, and contribute to, society."

Would you like to add your name to this list? Email us at: ame@australianmarriageequality.com