It was recently quoted that the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby are not supportive of formal marriage equality, rather that we are developing a campaign for civil unions.  The GLRL would like to assure the LGBT community that the GLRL completely supports full marriage equality.

The GLRL is NSW’s peak lobbying body and has a proud history of fighting for full equality and social justice on behalf of the LGBT community. “The GLRL is a non politically aligned organisation, primarily staffed by dedicated volunteers who have worked hard to achieve equality for the LGBT community through law reform at a state and federal level,” states Benjamin Keats, Co-Convenor. 

Some achievements of the GLRL include: the establishment of the Anti-Violence Project, introduction of homosexual anti-vilification legislation, property, hospital, next of kin, inheritance and relationship rights for same-sex couples, and the equal age of consent in NSW. Recent achievements include the federal same-sex law reform package and parental status for lesbian co-mothers in NSW.

 In addition to our civil marriage campaign, the GLRL is also currently running campaigns for adoption equality and surrogacy reform in NSW, and is lobbying for stronger federal anti-discrimination provisions. “These campaigns will deliver substantial practical benefits to members of the LGBT community,” explains Kellie McDonald, Co-Convenor. 

As stated, the GLRL is not developing a campaign for civil unions but rather a civil marriage campaign. Benjamin Keats, Co-Convenor, states “the GLRL has adopted this term for our marriage equality campaign because we feel it to be a more inclusive term that truly reflects the recommended amendments to the Marriage Act put forward in the Green’s Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009, allowing for a marriage between two people not just a man and a woman.” Keats further explains “marriage is also a civil institution governed by secular laws which apply to everyone.” 

The GLRL does not oppose the implementation of a civil union scheme, but only in addition to full marriage equality. Kellie McDonald explains “the results of our 2006 community consultation, published in our All Love is Equal… Isn’t It? report, found that some members of the LGBT community preferred a civil union scheme over marriage.” Kellie goes on to state “however the majority of the participants who did not favour marriage believed that the LGBT community should have the option to marry, and that a civil union scheme should be available in addition to full marriage equality.” 

The GLRL, in support of full marriage equality, made a submission Senate Marriage Inquiry, which included personal submissions from the community. Keats states, “Over 600 community members also made personalised submissions through the GLRL website.” Our submission is available at www.glrl.org.au.  The GLRL will continue to respond to any further enquiries made by the Senate Inquiry.  

The GLRL strongly believes that all lobby groups should work collaboratively in the fight for social justice and legal equality for the LGBT community. Kellie McDonald states “while each organisation may employ different strategies and have different priorities, in the end we owe it to the community to work together where possible to ensure our common goal of full equality for the LGBT community is achieved.”