ADVOCATES WELCOME S.A. UPPER HOUSE VOTE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY
PROPOSED BILL WILL MEAN S.A. LEADS THE WAY ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY
S.A. LIB SUPPORT FOR EQUALITY INCREASES PRESSURE ON ABBOTT TO ALLOW FREE VOTE

Marriage equality advocates have welcomed majority support in the South Australian Upper House for a marriage equality motion.

The motion, put forward by Labor MLC, Gerry Kandelaars, congratulated the New Zealand Parliament on achieving marriage equality and was passed 11 votes to 10 with the support of two Liberal members, Stephen Wade and Michelle Lensink.

Australian Marriage Equality South Australian convener, Harley Schumann, said,

“We welcome the co-operative, cross-party support which allowed this motion to pass and congratulate supporters of the motion for their thoughtful and heartfelt contributions.”

“The vote sends the message that South Australia is a progressive and inclusive community.”

Mr Schumann also welcomed a Bill allowing same-sex marriages at a state level, to be introduced tomorrow by South Australian Lower House member, Susan Close.

“The Bill would allow the South Australian parliament to achieve what it has just congratulated New Zealand for achieving”, Mr Schumann said.

“We look to South Australia leading the way on this important reform should similar legislation continue to fail in the federal parliament.”

Also tomorrow, the federal Senate will debate a Bill to allow overseas same-sex marriages to be recognised in Australia.

AME national director, Rodney Croome, said the fact South Australian Liberals were allowed a conscience vote puts pressure on Tony Abbott to to do the same.

“The fact that Liberal MPs voted for the marriage equality motion is a reminder that this reform has support across the political spectrum and should be subject to a cross-party conscience vote.”

Marriage equality motions have also passed the Tasmanian House of Assembly, the NSW Legislative Council and the ACT Legislative Assembly.

Marriage equality legislation was narrowly defeated in the Tasmanian Parliament last year and is pending in NSW, Victoria, Western Australia and the ACT.

For more information contact Harley Schumann on 0414 839 753 or Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

Author: Harley Schumann
Publication: AME Media Release
Publication Date: 19 June 2013

Marriage equality advocates have welcomed majority support in the South Australian Upper House for a marriage equality motion.

The motion, put forward by Labor MLC, Gerry Kandelaars, congratulated the New Zealand Parliament on achieving marriage equality and was passed 11 votes to 10 with the support of two Liberal members, Stephen Wade and Michelle Lensink.

Australian Marriage Equality South Australian convener, Harley Schumann, said,

“We welcome the co-operative, cross-party support which allowed this motion to pass and congratulate supporters of the motion for their thoughtful and heartfelt contributions.”

“The vote sends the message that South Australia is a progressive and inclusive community.”

Mr Schumann also welcomed a Bill allowing same-sex marriages at a state level, to be introduced tomorrow by South Australian Lower House member, Susan Close.

“The Bill would allow the South Australian parliament to achieve what it has just congratulated New Zealand for achieving”, Mr Schumann said.

“We look to South Australia leading the way on this important reform should similar legislation continue to fail in the federal parliament.”

Also tomorrow, the federal Senate will debate a Bill to allow overseas same-sex marriages to be recognised in Australia.

AME national director, Rodney Croome, said the fact South Australian Liberals were allowed a conscience vote puts pressure on Tony Abbott to to do the same.

“The fact that Liberal MPs voted for the marriage equality motion is a reminder that this reform has support across the political spectrum and should be subject to a cross-party conscience vote.”

Marriage equality motions have also passed the Tasmanian House of Assembly, the NSW Legislative Council and the ACT Legislative Assembly.

Marriage equality legislation was narrowly defeated in the Tasmanian Parliament last year and is pending in NSW, Victoria, Western Australia and the ACT.

For more information contact Harley Schumann on 0414 839 753 or Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

Australian law doesn’t acknowledge same-sex marriages performed overseas. Tomorrow MPs vote on a bill to change this. Kerryn Phelps on what recognition of her 15-year marriage will mean to her

Tomorrow a Bill is due to be debated in the Australian Parliament to recognise same-sex marriages performed overseas.

The current ban was inserted into the Marriage Act as recently as 2004. It explicitly prohibits any recognition of overseas same-sex marriages in Australian law. This is despite the last census showing at least 1300 same-sex couples have travelled overseas to marry since it came into force.

Fifteen years ago my partner and I married in New York City in a religious ceremony. At that time our marriage was not recognised by the law in any country.

In the interim we have raised two adult children and seen them launch their careers, adopted our youngest daughter who is still in junior high school, built successful businesses, acquired joint property and engaged constructively in Australian public life. What we have not done is have our marriage recognised legally by our country.

In the intervening years 14 countries have recognised marriage equality including, most recently, France and New Zealand.

In 2011, New York State changed its law to recognise same sex marriage, and we returned to complete the process we had begun back in 1998. We were issued with a marriage certificate and an apostille ensuring that our marriage would be recognised internationally in those countries where marriage equality has been introduced.

Israel, Japan and Slovenia do not currently perform same-sex marriage but they do legally recognise ours.

In this age of globalisation with mobile world populations, blocking the recognition of international legal marriages or trying to foist a second-rate system of civil unions or de-facto status on us makes no sense.

It creates a bureaucratic nightmare for Australians married to citizens of countries where their marriage is recognised.

As Australian citizens married overseas but living in Australia, we have had to pay lawyers to advise us on how we can protect ourselves, our relationship and our children’s rights in the event of illness or death of one or both of us.

If our marriage was recognised, there would be no questioning of the nature of our relationship and those protections would be automatic.

The marriage equality movement is the story of the civil rights movement in the United States rewritten.

The “separate but equal” doctrine in United States constitutional law justified entrenched legal discrimination based on race.

It was not until 1967 that race-based restrictions on marriage were eliminated from the last of the States.

“Separate but equal” is not equal. It never was. Yet that is what we have here in Australia in 2013, based on gender rather than race.

We want to be proud of our country and its leaders.

We want our children to be able to believe that justice and equality are inherent in our system of government.

Continued refusal to acknowledge same sex marriages performed overseas fails the fairness test. It fails the common sense test.

Tomorrow Australia has the opportunity to correct this.

Author: Kerryn Phelps
Publication: newmatilda.com
Publication Date: 19 June 2013

SOUTH Australian Senator Cory Bernardi is embroiled in a fresh row over his views on gay marriage and bestiality as a new poll found his comments had provoked a voter backlash.

The Liberal senator resigned from the Coalition’s front bench last year after outrage he caused by saying legalising same-sex marriage was part of an agenda that would open the way to legalising bestiality and polygamy.

Today he reignited the controversy, saying that a Polyamory Action Lobby petition for “nothing less than the full recognition of polyamorous families” proved his point and that bestiality was an “extreme example” but one “linked to the radical agenda of the Greens Party”.

A recent Lonergan Research poll of almost 1700 people obtained by The Advertiser found that his original comments on bestiality may work against the Liberal Party in September’s election.

The poll found 72 per cent of voters felt that his statements “made them less likely to vote for the Liberal Party”. The remainder picked the only other choice, and said they were more likely to vote Liberal.

Analysis: Bernardi’s worst fears realised – 25 people want polygamy

SA Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young – who will introduce legislation to recognise international same-sex marriage in Australia on Thursday – said his comments were “ignorant hate speech”.

“Linking the love that thousands of Australian couples share to bestiality is disgraceful,” she said.

“Cory Bernardi is the voice of the Liberal Party in SA as their lead Senate candidate. South Australians will be shaking their heads today and many will be having a second thought about voting Liberal.”

Senator Bernardi told The Advertiser it was “not hate speech”, but factual.

“I said if we redefine the word there will always be calls for more (changes),” he said.

“It’s not about linking gay marriage to any other thing, it’s this progression of the Greens agenda … it doesn’t stop with a single demand.”

In Parliament earlier this year Senator Bernardi said Polyamory Action Lobby was associated with the Greens, and that there were people in the movement who were disappointed that the Greens policy for “marriage equality” did not include them.

A third SA Senator, Labor’s Finance Minister Penny Wong, called Senator Bernardi’s arguments a “pathetic attempt to argue against the principle of equality” and an “attempt to drum up fear and prejudice”.

Opposition frontbencher Malcolm Turnbull said his comments on bestiality were “very extreme and extremely offensive”.

Australian Marriage Equality spokesman Rodney Croome also said Senator Bernardi’s comments were offensive.

“Not one country that has allowed same-sex marriage has moved to legitimise polygamy or bestiality – for the simple reason they’re not linked, legally, socially, or culturally,” he said.

Author:Tory Shepherd
Publications: adelaidenow
Date: 18 June 2013

“If Senator Cory Bernardi is allowed to air his offensive views on marriage equality with impunity, it’s only fair Coalition Senators who support equality should be free to vote for this Bill.”
- Ivan Hinton, AME, deputy director

Ahead of tomorrow’s Senate vote that could recognise overseas same-sex marriages, advocates have presented a 14,000 strong petition supporting the move and have called on the Coalition to allow a conscience vote.

Australian Marriage Equality deputy national director, Ivan Hinton, said,

“A majority of Australians want our country to follow New Zealand and other nations towards marriage equality and this is an important first step in that direction.”

“The fact our law disregards the solemn vows of lifelong commitment made by those Australian couples who are forced overseas to marry is disrespectful to these couples and to the countries that allow them to marry.”

“If Senator Cory Bernardi is allowed to air his offensive views on marriage equality with impunity, it’s only fair Coalition Senators who support equality should be free to vote for this Bill.”

Tomorrow the Senate is due to debate a Bill from South Australian Greens’ Senator, Sarah Hanson-Young, removing the ban on recognising overseas same-sex marriages that was inserted in the Marriage Act in 2004.

Labor is expected to allow a conscience vote on the issue while the Coalition has voted as a bloc against marriage equality up until now.

According to the last Census at least 1,300 Australian same-sex couples are married overseas.

Advocates predict the number will increase dramatically once same-sex marriages begin in New Zealand the Britain later this year.

Fourteen countries allow same-sex couples to marry. Several countries, including Japan and Israel, recognise overseas same-sex marriages even though they do not solemnise such marriages themselves.

The Australian Government’s ban on issuing same-sex couples with the documents they need to marry overseas was lifted in February this year.

For more information contact Ivan Hinton on 0419 124 826 or Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

Author: Ivan Hinton
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 19 June 2013

There are calls for Conservative Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi to be disendorsed after he once again linked same-sex marriage to polygamy and bestiality.

The Christian Senator was forced to resign as Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s personal parliamentary secretary when he first made the comments last year.

Mr Bernadi upped the ante on Tuesday, saying both polygamy and bestiality are linked to what he called “the radical agenda of the Greens party”.

“There is actually now a petition being put together for the House of Representatives by Greens activists to legally recognise multi-member unions,” he told Fairfax Media.

“Now, I said that would happen – it’s happening, we haven’t even taken the first step.

“Now, you know, I think there should be alarm, that if you’re going to redefine a word to satisfy demands of a minority, then you’re going to face continuing demands in that space.”

Senator Bernardi was then asked whether there was any evidence to suggest his claims would occur.

“Well, there is a demand,” he replied.

“There is an organised group looking for multi-member marriage and recognition of that. It’s Green activists – I’ve given a number of speeches in the Parliament about it.

“And the other example I gave about bestiality, of course it was an extreme example, but once again, it’s linked to the radical agenda of the Greens party.”

Bernardi’s comments slammed

The Senator’s comments have been derided by politicians both sides of politics.

Coalition frontbencher Malcolm Turnbull told Sky News the comments are very offensive.

“I think his remarks obviously represent his personal views but they create a lot offense with same-sex couples,” he said.

“A lot of offense. Particularly suggesting that if same sex marriage were deemed lawful it would lead to bestiality.”

Bernadi links bestiality to the radical Greens agenda – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (1)
AUDIO: Sarah-Hanson Young talks to PM (PM)

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, the Greens’ spokeswoman for gay and gender issues, says Senator Bernardi should be disendorsed over the comments.

Senator Hanson-Young says it is worrying that Senator Bernardi holds such a prominent position for the Liberal Party in South Australia.

“Cory Bernardi sits at the top of the Liberal ticket in South Australia. He is the voice for the Liberals and Tony Abbott in South Australia – I think that’s really concerning,” she said.

“I think there’d be many Liberal voters out there today shaking their heads and questioning whether they want to vote for a Liberal Party that endorses this type of bigotry and these types of comments.”

No petition to recognise multi-member groups

Senator Hanson-Young says she is unaware of a petition to recognise multi-member groups “specifically for the [House of Representatives]“.

“I do know that Cory Bernardi has spoken about a list of – I think it’s about 20 people or individuals across the country who have said that they support polyamory or polygamy, but let’s be real about this,” she said.

“The Australian people don’t take this argument by Cory Bernardi seriously at all.

“There is an overwhelming support in the Australian community for marriage equality, to allow same-sex couples the same rights under the law to celebrate, to have their love recognised, and this type of demeaning of their status of relationship and the level of their love is pretty below the belt from Cory.”

She said that Senator Bernardi’s suggestion that the Greens support bestiality is insulting to a lot of Australians.

“I think it’s quite disappointing and I’m dismayed really that Cory Bernardi hasn’t seem to have learned perhaps from the outrage that he created last time he made these comments,” she said.

“They’re really hurtful to a lot of people, and there’s thousands of Australian couples whose relationships and love for each other is being undermined and deemed not very nice – awful – just because Cory Bernardi is continuing with this type of bigotry.”

Author: Peter Lloyd
Publication: ABC News
Date: 18 June 2013

Marriage equality advocates have dismissed clams by Liberal Senator, Cory Bernardi, that same-sex marriage will lead to polygamy and bestiality and have called for him to be disciplined.

Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Rodney Croome, said,

“Not one country that has allowed same-sex marriage has moved to legitimise polygamy or bestiality for the simply reason they’re not linked, legally, socially or culturally.”

“It is deeply wounding for same-sex attracted people to have their relationships demeaned in this way and we call for Senator Bernardi to be disciplined by Coalition leader, Tony Abbott.”

“Senator Bernardi’s offensive remarks will contribute to the all-too-high rates of suicide among young same-sex-attracted Australians.”

Mr Croome called on Coalition Senators to support a Bill for the recognition of overseas same-sex marriages to be debated in the Senate on Thursday.

“Supporting the recognition of overseas same-sex marriages is a way for Coalition Senators to show they respect the solemn legal marriage vows Australian couples have made overseas, as well as the laws of our closest allies like the Canada, the US, New Zealand and soon the UK.”

“It will also be a way to distance themselves from Senator Bernardi.”

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

Author: Rodney Croome
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 18 June 2013

In a new interview with Fairfax, Bernardi claimed that a petition to legally recognise multi-member unions was evidence of a shift by some sections of society in an “abhorrent and disgusting” direction that he had predicted during Parliament’s debate about same-sex marriage last year.

At that time, Bernardi was demoted from the position of Shadow Parliamentary Secretary by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott after he attempted to link same-sex marriage with bestiality.

In the new interview, he highlights a recent petition by the Polyamory Action Lobby for marriages involving more than two people as proof he was correct in his “slippery slope” assumptions: “Now I said that would happen. It’s happening.”

“I think there should be alarm,” he added. “If you’re going to re-define a word to satisfy demands of a minority then you’re going to face continuing demands in that space,” Senator Bernardi said.

The Senator defended his comments from last year by saying, “Bestiality, of course it was an extreme example, but once again it’s linked to the radical agenda of the Greens Party.”

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is quick to respond. “Linking the love that thousands of Australians have for each other to bestiality is disgraceful,” she says.

“Once again Cory Bernardi has attacked gay and lesbian Australians and has humiliated his party.”

Justin Koonin, Co-convenor of the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby agrees. “Once again, Cory Bernardi is spreading fear and intolerance instead of tolerance and understanding.
His comments will offend not just the gay and lesbian community, but the majority of Australians who support marriage equality and welcome the diversity this community brings to wider society.”

Labor’s Finance Minister Senator Penny Wong adds to the condemnation of Senator Bernardi, saying his ‘’offensive comments have no place in modern Australia’.”

‘’The principle of equality is far greater than the pathetic attempts by Cory Bernardi to drum up fear and prejudice,’’ she says.

Rodney Croome, National Convenor of Australian Marriage Equality counters Senator Bernardi’s comments with facts. “Not one country that has allowed same-sex marriage has moved to legitimise polygamy or bestiality for the simply reason they’re not linked, legally, socially or culturally.”

“It is deeply wounding for same-sex attracted people to have their relationships demeaned in this way and we call for Senator Bernardi to be disciplined by Coalition leader, Tony Abbott.”

Croome called on Coalition Senators to support a Bill for the recognition of overseas same-sex marriages to be debated in the Senate on Thursday.

“Supporting the recognition of overseas same-sex marriages is a way for Coalition Senators to show they respect the solemn legal marriage vows Australian couples have made overseas, as well as the laws of our closest allies like the Canada, the US, New Zealand and soon the UK.”

“It will also be a way to distance themselves from Senator Bernardi.”

Author: Michael Nguyen
Publication: Same Same
Date: 18 June 2013

Good Morning Marriage Equality Supporter

We just received a $10,000 donation from a generous donor – but it comes with a condition: we have to raise another $10,000 to match it. Our anonymous donor, who approached us from our Equality Dinner in Sydney, is basically going to double your donation.

All of your donations will be matched one-to-one until the end of June – up to $10,000!

With Labor and the Coalition recently preventing a fresh marriage equality vote and the Coalition putting off any consideration of a conscience vote until after the election – we need to be ready for what is going to be a grueling couple of months for marriage equality in Australia. Just to letterbox one electorate costs us around $3,500. We need even more if you want us to promote marriage equality with print, TV adverts, and community events.

Thanks to your support – financial and otherwise – we’ve encouraged politicians from all sides to evolve on marriage equality. But this election will be our toughest battle yet. The cashed up and very influential Australian Christian Lobby will be hitting the airwaves, canvassing the politicians – it was only just recently that they were accusing us of creating a new stolen generation!

Donate now to the Australian Marriage Equality election fund.

It’s been a challenging and inspiring eight years since Australian Marriage Equality was established. Since then public support has gone from 38% to 65%. We couldn’t have done any of it without your dedication and passion.

2013 is going to be crutial to achieving marriage equality. Let’s make sure we have the resources – financial and otherwise – to ensure marriage equality has the best chance possible.

Please make a donation today.

Rodney Croome 

PS: If you were ever going to help us out, now is the time to do it – get double the impact for every dollar you give!

Our mailing address is:
Australian Marriage Equality
PO Box 665
Darlinghurst, NSW 1300
Australia

Advocates have welcomed a motion will be presented in the South Australian Upper House tomorrow congratulating the New Zealand Parliament for working together to enact legislation that ensures same sex couples have the right to marry

Marriage equality advocates are eagerly anticipating the introduction of a motion in the South Australian Upper House by the Hon Gerry Kandelaars MLC. The motion, which is scheduled for a vote on Wednesday evening, would formally congratulate the New Zealand Parliament in achieving marriage equality.
South Australian convenor of Australian Marriage Equality, Harley Schumann, said,

“The New Zealand Parliament has achieved an historic outcome by recognising marriage rights for same-sex couples and we support the South Australian Parliament expressing its congratulations through this motion.”

“A major factor leading to the recognition of same-sex marriage in New Zealand was the cooperation by politicians from both ends of the political spectrum and this is something that should be congratulated and encouraged.”

Mr Schumann said that the motion is not intended to have legislative force but will send a message of solidarity.

“Whilst the motion would not create any substantive benefits to same-sex couples in South Australia, it is an important initiative and a strong sign of respect and admiration for the New Zealand Parliament.”
Mr Schumann welcomed the approach of both major parties in South Australia who have allowed a conscience vote on the motion.

“Same-sex marriage is clearly an issue on which politicians should be entitled to vote according to their own personal choice and it is encouraging that both major parties have let their members do so in relation to this motion.”

“We hope that the major parties do not change their position on this and continue to allow a conscience vote when the SA Parliament deals with its own same-sex marriage Bill later this year.”

For more information contact Harley Schumman on 0414 839 753.

Author: Harley Schumman
Publication: AME Media Release
Date:18 June 2013

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

SUE and I met when we were 13. We had after-school jobs at Woolworths and bonded over our mutual inability to remember the “specials” and our mutual disgust at the deli coleslaw.

Before long, we were hanging out together most weekends.

I loved going to her house.

Sue lived with her mum, who was divorced, two big sisters, two dogs and a boarder called Christine.

They were vegetarian so we’d eat stuff like cashew nut roasts.

Growing up with two younger brothers, to me Sue’s sisters seemed so sophisticated. One was an artist and wore lots of black; the other was a riot of tie-dye.

But the situation wasn’t what it seemed: Christine was not the “boarder” but Sue’s mum’s lover.

Sue didn’t tell me for years, worrying that our friendship would suffer. She’d hoped I’d guess but I was clueless; naive; provincial.

When we were 16 she nervously told me in McDonald’s. I was a bit crap — confronted, awkward — the opposite of what she needed me to be. But “gay” wasn’t on my radar.

It was the mid 80s — I was yet to read Tales of the City, Boy George hadn’t officially come out and Philadelphia was still years away.

Sue’s mum and Christine were private about their relationship partly because they worked together, partly because they couldn’t be bothered with people’s reactions.

A spare room was set up as Christine’s bedroom to enable them to pass her off as the boarder.

Sue liked Christine living with them but was frustrated the “boarder” card was played to suit the adults rather than suit her.

She was upset, for instance, when they wouldn’t adopt the front when she needed to billet a hockey player from a visiting team.

As the decade unfolded I learned of more hidden lives: a swimming teammate being raised by his mum and “mum’s friend”; a flatmate agonising over how to come out to his conservative father; and Sue — despite setting out to be straight — realising that she, too, was gay.

With all of them there was tiptoeing: bosses who couldn’t be told, loves that couldn’t be acknowledged.

When my flatmate moved in with his boyfriend they had to rent a two-bedroom unit because landlords couldn’t countenance them sharing one.

Then there was AIDS, hovering like a huge inflatable wagging finger over their life choices.

That was nearly 30 years ago. Gratifyingly, much has changed. When our kids were six and three, two friends from England came to stay.

After a few days we left the house to them while we went on holiday.

“That’s lucky,” said our eldest, “now one of you can have my bed.”

We laughed, explained that Zoe and Lou loved each other and shared a bed just like any couple.

Their generation is being raised without prejudice.

They sing along to Same Love, as familiar with the tune as what the song means. And I can’t change, even if I tried, even if I wanted to.

They know teachers, doctors, singers who are gay; Ricky Martin; Ellen DeGeneres.

But as they trip from childhood into their teens what they can’t comprehend is how the country they live in continues to say “no” to marriage equality.

Ironically, it’s the impact on children that opponents to progress fear most even though kids — as in most things — are 10 steps ahead.

Kevin Rudd, recently announcing his support for gay marriage, admitted concerns about the welfare of children in gay relationships had been the stumbling block.

But the kids are all right. In fact, they’re thriving. The Australian Study of Child Health in Same-Sex Families last week revealed children of same-sex couples enjoy the same self-esteem, emotional behaviour and amount of time spent with parents as the rest of the population.

As for overall health and family cohesion they score higher than the national average.

According to the researcher, these families communicated issues like teasing or bullying which fostered openness and made the kids more resilient.

My friend Sue concurs. Whereas she recalls one of her friend’s mothers being rude and dismissive because she knew she had a gay parent, Sue says her son has never felt discriminated against for having two mothers.

She was always determined to be 100 per cent open about their relationship: “One boy at primary school kept asking him which of us was his real mother but our son was so secure in himself and his own sense of family that he genuinely thought the other boy was a bit thick for not ‘getting it’.

It reminded me of that Eleanor Roosevelt quote: ‘No one can make you feel inferior without your consent’.”

It’s ridiculous isn’t it? Our kids are progressing faster than our politicians.

They, along with the majority of their parents, see no obstacle to gay marriage.

Yet still our leaders dawdle.

I’m ashamed — for Sue’s sake, for her mum’s sake, for her son’s sake.

But I laugh when she follows up with an email: “You should point out that most gays are conceived and raised by straight parents and most gays have straight kids — you don’t want to fuel people’s fear that gay parents will lead to gay kids (and, worse, a simple eradication plan!)”

I’d like to tell her we’re better than that. Are we?

Author: Angela Mollard
Publication: news.com.au
Date: 13 June 2013

National advocacy group Australian Marriage Equality has argued former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd could provide the kind of leadership they believe the country lacks on the issue of marriage equality.

When asked by The Australian newspaper who he would prefer as leader of the Labor Party, the organisation’s National Director Rodney Croome took the opportunity to argue the importance of leadership to the marriage equality debate. He compared the status of the issue in Australia to other countries where marriage equality has been achieved.

“A crucial element in the achievement of marriage equality in places like New Zealand, France and soon the UK, has been leadership from the head of government,” said Croome.

Croome argued that a Labor Party led by Rudd would see the marriage equality movement in a better position after the next election.

“If the polls are correct, Rudd’s leadership of the Labor Party will also mean many MPs who support marriage equality will keep their seats,” he said.

“Having a leader who supports marriage equality would improve the Labor Party’s chances of reaching out to young voters who polls show passionately support this reform.”

Croome told the Star Observer his statements were not intended to be regarded as support for a leadership change before the next election, but he hoped to use the opportunity to highlight the importance of leadership for marriage equality.

Marriage equality organisation Equal Love echoed Croome’s statements that a leader who personally supports marriage equality would benefit the movement, but did not want to offer their support for a specific candidate.

“I think there is an argument for Kevin Rudd or someone who supports same-sex marriage rights to be the leader of the party, but that will only translate into a real gain for our movement if that also means scrapping the conscience vote and bringing the parliamentary caucus in line with [Labor Party] policy, which is on the books as equal rights,” Equal Love Secretary Louise O’Shae told the Star Observer.

“I haven’t seen Kevin Rudd anywhere say he will insist MPs vote in favour of marriage equality,” she said, stating Equal Love would support whoever could get the legislation passed.

However, O’Shae also said it was “understandable” for marriage equality supporters to favour someone who personally supports that position, such as Rudd.

Rudd came out in support of marriage equality last month, in a move widely covered by Australian media and tied to the ongoing leadership speculation around the federal Labor Party.

Author: Benjamin Riley
Publication: Star Observer
Publication Date: 14 June 2013

QUEENSLAND’S top billboard company has donated space to a provocative campaign in support of gay and lesbian rights.

The What R U Having campaign on GOA billboards features a pregnant woman and the words ‘congratulations, you’re having a lesbian’.

Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) commissioned the campaign, with actors, advertising creatives and production crew also donating their time.

The billboard has appeared near the Inner City Bypass at Bowen Hills, PFLAG spokesperson Shelley Argent said GOA billboards had provided space at no charge.

“We’ve had some negative feedback, as you would expect, but we have also had some very positive. One was from a young couple having their own baby. They thought it was a very good idea,” she said.

“Some people have taken the view that it’s evil and all this, but of course it’s not – it’s just to make people think.”

Ms Argent said when she was pregnant with her son, who is gay, she read books on how to help children who were gifted or had disabilities, but there was no preparation for the inequality experienced by gay and lesbian children.

“It doesn’t matter as a parent how much love and support or what kind of family unit you are, when you have a gay or lesbian child, they are considered second-rate – not by the parents, but by society and the government,” she said.

“Everybody thinks that someone else will have a gay or lesbian child, but not you. So it’s a case of what would you do if that was your child, and what would you want. It’s just a simple message.”

The sister of Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, Christine Forster, has put her support behind the campaign.

“The campaign is another reminder that lesbians and gays come from all walks of life and from every part of Australia, and should have the same rights as our straight brothers and sisters,” she said.

Author: Jane Chudleigh
Publication: Couriermail.com.au
Date: 13 June 2013

Earlier this year we decided it was that time to again adapt and we began researching how we could improve communicating with you and what you wanted us to do in 2013 and beyond.

We have listened to your feedback.

You told us that you loved the content on our website but the site itself is clunky, hard to navigate and doesn’t work very well with mobile devices. We also found out that over 70% of you are now using mobile devices to access our site.

You told us that you wanted us to win marriage equality in Australia.

So a few months ago we started working on updating our homepage. It had to be mobile friendly, fresh, crisp and easy to navigate.

We realised we needed a logo to match our new look. One that would be more than just a symbol on a website or a business card. Something truly dynamic.

In the coming days it will give us great pleasure to launch our new website and logo. We are very proud and just a little nervous, and we hope you enjoy them both as much as we do.

Jay Allen
National Secretary

A new local online petition for the recognition of overseas same-sex marriages has had over 6,500 signatures.

“Our government does not respect the legal marriages of Australian same-sex couples who tie the knot overseas,” points out the Australian Marriage Equality lobby group.

“Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young wants to change this by removing that section of the Marriage Act which prohibits the recognition of overseas same-sex marriages in Australian law.”

Hanson’s Bill has a chance of being passed before the election, but only if we raise our voices in support, says AME’s National Director Rodney Croome.

Among the signatures on the petition are comments from real Australians affected by our country’s policy on marriage.

“Marriage equality is important, and by not recognising marriage between two loving and consenting adults in blatant discrimination,” writes Peter. “There can be no other term for it.”

With your help Australia can take this important step towards full equality. Sign the petition here.

Author: SSHQ
Publication: Same same
Date: 12 June 2013

On the day that Julia Gillard launched Labor’s Women for Gillard campaign, arguing that women would “once again (be) banished from the centre of Australia’s political life” under a government led by Tony Abbott, gay activists declared she was not the right leader for the times.

Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome said the gay rights movement wanted a return of Kevin Rudd because of his recent declaration supporting marriage equality.

The movement fears the Prime Minister’s polling is so low that many MPs who are for gay marriage would lose their seats, making change even harder to achieve if she remains leader.

“Having a Labor leader who supports marriage equality will also increase pressure on the Coalition to adopt a more supportive position, particularly a conscience vote,” Mr Croome said.

He said a crucial element in the achievement of marriage equality in countries such as New Zealand and France, and soon in Britain, had been support from the head of government. “As a supporter of marriage equality, Kevin Rudd has the potential to provide the kind of leadership on this reform which has been missing in Australia up until now,” Mr Croome said.

“If the polls are correct, Rudd’s leadership of the Labor Party will also mean many MPs who support marriage equality will keep their seats.”

Mr Croome said Labor would benefit from a leader who supported gay marriage, “just as the US Democrats benefited when (Barack) Obama came out for marriage equality”.

Mr Rudd now supports the secular state’s recognition of same sex-marriage, while arguing that religious institutions should be legally allowed an exemption maintaining their historic position that marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman.

Mr Rudd joined Ms Gillard in a parliamentary conscience vote last September that defeated a proposal to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry, by 98 votes to 42.

Detailing the turnabout on his blog website, Mr Rudd, an Anglican, said homosexuality was not abnormal and the interpretation of scriptures had evolved.

In supporting equality for gay and lesbian couples, the former Labor leader said comprehensive scientific surveys of children raised in same-sex relationships had shown “no child-behaviour checklist differences” and same-sex families “do not compromise children’s development”.

Mr Rudd has dismissed criticism from Liberal senator George Brandis that he had adopted a position opposite to Ms Gillard’s because of his political ambitions.

The Opposition Leader said Mr Rudd was entitled to change his mind, but he would not soften his own opposition to gay marriage.

Ms Gillard, setting aside her opposition to same-sex marriage, used Mr Rudd’s shift to attack Mr Abbott, saying a parliamentary vote would have a greater chance of success if the Coalition leader allowed his side a conscience vote.

Author: Patricia Karvelis
Publication: The Australian
Date: 12 June 2013

Mathieu Chantelois, right, and Marcelo Gomez-Wiuckstern celebrate their marriage at Toronto City Hall 10 years ago.

Ten years ago, the Ontario Court of Appeal said “yes” to same-sex marriage, granting me the right to marry the man I love.

That changed everything.

Like most homosexuals, I grew up in a heterosexual family. I imagined that one day I would have a family of my own based on love, one of the values my parents had successfully passed on to me.

In my teens, I had to give up on that dream when I realized I was gay. I would never be able to marry, and to replicate the loving family structure in which I had grown up. The realization came as a shock.

Back then, same-sex partnerships existed in legal limbo, where confusion reigned. It seemed unthinkable that I would be able to marry one day.

But instead of fighting for marriage equality, I started trashing the institution.

Marriages were so passé, often awkward, and even a little creepy. Why would I do that to myself?

I remember being overconfident during my first job interview; I was 16.

I think that’s why the interviewer asked what scared me the most.
“A woman in a wedding dress,” I replied.
I didn’t even have to think about it.
It just came out. Afterwards, I remember asking myself why.
It’s only now that I think I understand the reason.

Almost out of the blue, on June 10, 2003, I was suddenly marriage-worthy.

Something unexpected happened: I instantly forgot about my teen years.
I became a kid again, excited to marry the man of my dreams.

My partner and I were among the first same-sex couples to have a wedding ceremony at Toronto City Hall.

Without fanfare, we walked a hundred paces down a small, cold, uninviting hallway to wait for the wedding chambers to open.

The ceremony took a few minutes. Ever the gentleman, I let my groom sign the register first.

And with the stroke of a pen, he became my husband, so-named on our marriage certificate.

The clerk was embarrassed and apologetic as she wrote my name on the remaining line, the one for the wife.
It was almost funny.

And it was no big deal.

Outside, the wedding procession was not as joyful.

Protesters, including busloads of Americans, were waiting to chant slogans at us.

Clutching Bibles and flags, these paragons of morality linked my marriage with shame and sin.
There were children with them, chanting along.

None of it bore any resemblance to the applause and confetti that usually greets newlyweds.

I left under a hail of insults, shaken but standing tall.

Sad, but overflowing with joy.

I had one thing on my mind — the man of my dreams, whom I’d just married.

In 2002, an Ekos poll found that 47 per cent of Canadians had an unfavourable opinion of same-sex marriage.

Taking into account the high number of undecideds, the pollsters concluded that opponents of gay marriage made up a majority.

In 2012, an Ipsos Reid poll found that just 18 per cent of respondents were “totally opposed” to same-sex marriage.
What happened?

Almost overnight, society accepted our marriages.

Contrary to the dire predictions of the most virulent opponents, the sky has not fallen and no one has been hurt by our having this right.

The majority now sees in homosexuals the common thread uniting all human beings: the desire to love and be loved.

But the law, which is often said to lag behind new social realities, sometimes moves faster than awareness and education.

There is still much work to be done here, although there’s no doubt the toughest struggles will happen elsewhere in the world.

We have only to look at the acrimonious debate in France to realize there are still battles to be fought.

Some Americans (no doubt the same ones who invited themselves to my wedding) have taken their picket signs out of storage and hoisted them in their own backyards.

It is also worth remembering that marriage equality is not an end in and of itself.

In 78 countries, homosexual acts are punishable by imprisonment and even death.

Not to mention the hate crimes being committed against gays and lesbians every day both here and elsewhere.

Still, I like to think it’s worth celebrating our 10th anniversary.

Not just my own, but our whole society’s.

Here at home, the decade was characterized by a real desire to understand each other and to put an end to all forms of intimidation and discrimination.

Today, I’m no longer scared of wedding dresses. And neither are the vast majority of Canadians; even when those wedding dresses are worn by two women walking down the aisle together.

Mathieu Chantelois is editor of Le magazine Cineplex (the French language in-theatre magazine for Cineplex theatres in Quebec) and is chair of Pride celebrations for the largest LGBTQ Community Centre in Canada, Toronto’s The 519.

Author: Mathieu Chantelois
Publication: thestar.com
Publication Date: 10 June 2013

A star-studded sampling of acts from across the Festival and beyond, as Melbourne’s cabaret community comes out to support equal marriage rights.

This night is a joint fundraiser for Australian Marriage Equality and Melbourne Cabaret Limited.

Australian Marriage Equality is a national, membership-based organisation working for equal marriage rights for all Australians. As a membership-based organisation, it relies entirely on the generosity of its members and other supporters in the community.
Information on how you can donate can be found here.

Jade Leonard Equal Love Featuring Dolly Diamond & Luke Gallagher