Summary
Today the Australian parliament’s Lower House voted to pass the second and third readings of Senator Dean Smith’s Marriage Equalitywhere national marriage legislation also includes same-sex couples or gender-neutral reference to the spouses. References to “gay marriage” that are sometimes made by media outlets and decision-makers incorrectly are incorrect, as no country has created a marriage law specifically for same-sex couples. More Bill in the House of Representatives.
This Bill now goes to the Governor General Peter Cosgrove for his assent and will become the law of Australia, after a few formalities, 28 days after that.
ILGA Oceania – the regional chapter of the International Lesbianadjective/noun to describe a woman whose enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction is to other women. Women and non-binary people may use this term to describe themselves. More, Gayadjective to describe people whose enduring physical, romantic, and/ or emotional
attractions are to people of the same gender. Men, women and non-binary people may use this
term to describe themselves. More, Bisexualadjective used to describe a person who has the capacity to form enduring physical, romantic, and/ or emotional attractions to those of the same gender or to those of other genders. More, Transadjective/umbrella term to describe a person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. More and Intersexan umbrella term for the spectrum of variations of sex characteristics that naturally occur within the human species. Intersex people are born with variations of sex characteristics (such as genitals, reproductive organs, hormonal and chromosomal patterns) that are more diverse than stereotypical definitions of male or female bodies. Up to 1.7% of the global population are born with such traits; yet, because their bodies are seen as different, intersex children and adults are often stigmatised and subject to harmful practices – including in medical settings - and discriminated against. More Association – celebrates this moment and wishes to acknowledge the hard work that LGBTIQ and human rights activists in Australia and around the world have done during this long and protracted fight.
“First of all, thank God for what was achieved today in Australia,” commented Tuisina Ymania Brown, ILGA Oceania co-Convenor. “As a trans woman of colour and faith, I believe that love will always prevail. Today, love won. Human rights won. Marriage equality won. Humanity won. Why? Because for the first time in this country, we are equal in terms of who we love. Australians have spoken, and their representatives have done it. Bravo and Brava to all the human rights activists, the Australians that voted, the MPs and Senators that worked with our activists to define and refine the legislation. Thank you. And for all those that have shed blood, for those we have lost because of bigotry and discriminationunequal or unfair treatment which can be based on a range of grounds - such as age, ethnic background, disability, and diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions or sex characteristics, amongst others. More and the hate crimes against LGBTIQ people, this one is for your sacrifice. ILGA Oceania is proud to have supported this campaign.”
“As the former campaign manager for marriage equality in New Zealand, it’s great to finally say: it’s about time, Australia,” commented Rawa Karetai, ILGA Oceania co-Convenor based in New Zealand. “It’s a great day to celebrate the campaign win in Australia. To our LGBTIQ friends in Australia, party in the streets and show that this is a significant win for our community. Marriage equality is finally here and it’s awesome to know that our LGBTIQ community is allowed to get married.”
Like many other countries who have done so around the world, LGBTIQ Australians will wake up to a more inclusive and free and equal Australia tomorrow.
Media contacts:
Tuisina Ymania Brown
ILGA Oceania co-convenor, based in Australia: +61 404 408 223
Rawa Karetai
ILGA Oceania co-Convenor, based in New Zealand: +64 274 051883