Archive Article

Marriage Legislation Amendment Bill 2004

Marriage Legislation Amendment Bill 2004 Time For Action! Dear supporters, As you have probably heard, the Howard Government yesterday sought special leave to introduce the "Marriage Legislation Amendment Bill 2004" into Parliament. The aim of the Bill is to: 1) To expressly define marriage as the union of a man and a woman; 2) Ban the recognition of same-sex unions that have taken place overseas; and 3) Ban same-sex couples from adopting children from overseas. Notwithstanding the current definition of marriage in the common law, this Bill will further entrench discrimination against same sex couples in legislation and is denying same sex couples married overseas from having their day in court. The legislation is a blatant attack on gay men and lesbians in Australia and is sending the message that our relationships are second class and that we are not good parents. This flies in the face of majority public opinion that supports equality for same sex relationships and all credible research that indicates that children brought up in gay and lesbian families are just as happy and well adjusted as children brought up in heterosexual families. This Bill is the Howard Government's attempt to wind back rights of gay men and lesbians. It is a desperate attempt by the Government to create fear and division in the broader community using homophobia. The Australian Labor Party are yet to determine their position on this Bill so it is up to the gay and lesbian community and our supporters to let them know that we want them to oppose this Bill. We need to send the message to the ALP that we expect them to defend our right to equality and that there are no votes in homophobia. Attached is a sample letter that we urge you to send to Opposition Leader, Mark Latham, and Shadow Attorney General, Nicola Roxon. We also urge you to send a letter to your local Federal member so that they know that your vote will be influenced by the ALP's position on this issue. Yours in the fight for equality, Somali Cerise & Rob McGrory Co-convenors Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (NSW) What you can do? To help our campaign to prevent the passage of this amendment you can: ( click here ) to send an e-mail to Opposition Leader, Mark Latham, and Shadow Attorney General, Nicola Roxon. ( click here ) to e-mail a friend to help this campaign. ( click here ) to become a member of the Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby, or to make a donation. ( click here ) to volunteer your time and skills. Note: If you are experiencing difficulties with our e-mail link, ( click here ) to get a copy of the e-mail text.

Marriage Legislation Amendment Bill 2004

Time For Action!

Dear supporters,

As you have probably heard, the Howard Government yesterday sought special leave to introduce the "Marriage Legislation Amendment Bill 2004" into Parliament.

The aim of the Bill is to:

1) To expressly define marriage as the union of a man and a woman;
2) Ban the recognition of same-sex unions that have taken place overseas; and
3) Ban same-sex couples from adopting children from overseas.

Notwithstanding the current definition of marriage in the common law, this Bill will further entrench discrimination against same sex couples in legislation and is denying same sex couples married overseas from having their day in court.

The legislation is a blatant attack on gay men and lesbians in Australia and is sending the message that our relationships are second class and that we are not good parents. This flies in the face of majority public opinion that supports equality for same sex relationships and all credible research that indicates that children brought up in gay and lesbian families are just as happy and well adjusted as children brought up in heterosexual families.

This Bill is the Howard Government's attempt to wind back rights of gay men and lesbians. It is a desperate attempt by the Government to create fear and division in the broader community using homophobia.

The Australian Labor Party are yet to determine their position on this Bill so it is up to the gay and lesbian community and our supporters to let them know that we want them to oppose this Bill. We need to send the message to the ALP that we expect them to defend our right to equality and that there are no votes in homophobia.

Attached is a sample letter that we urge you to send to Opposition Leader, Mark Latham, and Shadow Attorney General, Nicola Roxon. We also urge you to send a letter to your local Federal member so that they know that your vote will be influenced by the ALP's position on this issue.

Yours in the fight for equality,

Somali Cerise & Rob McGrory
Co-convenors
Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (NSW)

What you can do?

To help our campaign to prevent the passage of this amendment you can:

Note: If you are experiencing difficulties with our e-mail link, ( click here ) to get a copy of the e-mail text.