The WA AIDS Council has added it’s support to the growing number of organisations calling on the government to legislate for marriage equality.
In a statement posted on their website the council said they absolutely recognised the rights of their lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans* and intersex clients, members and volunteers to live a full and healthy life that is not shadowed by any prejudice or discrimination, or a life that is absent all of the rights accorded to others.
“This includes the right to marry the person of their choice.” the organisation stated.
The WA AIDS Council argued that relationship discrimination had a clear affect on health outcomes.
“We have always understood that discrimination impacts on our health in many ways. We understand that lack of access to financial benefits and other entitlements, given as a right to heterosexual families, does not improve wellbeing.
“The lack of full and equal recognition of our relationships is a bigger issue. For as long as this inequality exists, there will continue to be a strong government sponsored message that our relationships, in whatever form they may appear, are not as valued as others. This is unacceptable.
The statement highlighted the overwhelming community support for marriage equality. Earlier this week a new Essential poll showed support for the issue had continued to rise.
“All evidence shows that the community strongly supports marriage equality. This is unsurprising since for every lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans* and intersex person, there are parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, workmates, friends and neighbours. Thus the community bears witness to the impacts of inequality that our political leaders are reluctant to acknowledge.
“It is time for our great country to join the more than 20 others that have already embraced equality for marriage and the social benefits that have followed.
“For those that think that there is a viable alternative to full equality, there isn’t. Near enough will never be good enough when it comes to human rights.
The statement from the WA AIDS Council comes ahead of a parliamentary debate this morning in the sentate on this issue, however the issue is unlikely to reach a vote as only one hour has been set aside for the discussion.
OIP Staff
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