Third time’s the charm – this being issue number three of GALEforce, Gay and Lesbian Equality’s contribution to OUTinPerth. With another Galaxy poll confirming that 86% of Western Australians support the implementation of legislation that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexuality and gender identity – queerphobic policy makers are rapidly running out of excuses to justify unequal and unfair policies of both the State and Federal Governments.
Ever the trailblazers of GLBTI reform, the Tasmanian Government, passed a motion at their State Conference supporting same-sex marriage, calling on the Federal Government to include same-sex couples in the Marriage Act. Since Labor’s current policies only support state-based relationship registers, this is a fairly impressive move.
Unfortunately, it seems as though both KRudd and our own Colin Barnett have their heads wedged firmly and obliviously in their posteriors – both maintaining the tired old adage that marriage is a sacred union between a man and a woman blah blah blah. I guess it’s very easy to forget the 60% of Australians that support same-sex marriage when you’re BFF with the Pope.
On the subject of Vatican-snogging scumbags, Tony Abbott – the current Opposition Families spokesman has raised a few eyebrows by trying to return us to the days of fault-based divorce in an effort to shore up ‘traditional family values.’
How many families – straight, gay or otherwise actually do fit into Mr. Abbott’s cookie cutter image of what ‘family’ or ‘marriage’ constitutes? There’s more to family than just Mum, Dad and the kids, and there’s more to marriage than just longevity and signing on the dotted line. Families come in all forms, and on August 16th, a community coalition called Families for Freedom will be hosting a picnic on Cottesloe Foreshore to celebrate precisely that. Everyone – regardless of sexuality, gender identity or family status is more than welcome to come along. Wear bright colours, bring a hamper of food, a rainbow umbrella (just in case it rains on our parade!) and of course – your family.
On August 1st, GLBTI activists across the country protested against the ban on same-sex marriage five years ago. Let’s take that a step further and show that family is about love – not gender.
For more information about the Families For Freedom campaign, and the August 16th Action – check out www.families4freedom.info.
Kitty Hawkins
GALE Co-Convenor
Families for Freedom Community Convenor
kitty@galewa.asn.au
PH: 0414846153
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