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On Saturday August 1st we will be attending the national day of action for same-sex marriage, which is organised by Equal Love, a group lobbying the Australian government to legislate for same-sex marriages.
Last year, more than 100 federal laws which prevented queer people from receiving the same financial and employment rights as straight people were amended. Despite these changes which reduced legal discrimination against queer individuals and couples, marriage for gay men and lesbians is still illegal in Australia.
Several countries around the world (e.g. Spain, Canada, Belgium) now allow marriage for queer couples, while others are in a similar position to Australia, with gay civil unions legal in some states or territories, but marriage still illegal. Troublingly, research in countries where civil unions are legal has shown that these unions are often belittled or ignored, for example, businesses may choose to withhold benefits extended to married heterosexual couples even though these relationships were intended to deliver equality.
It has been suggested that queer couples should opt for civil unions rather than marriage, to avoid upsetting conservative or religious members of the community who feel that ‘marriage’ should refer solely to relationships between men and women. While it may be possible, although unlikely, to have civil unions as a legally equivalent alternative to marriage, denying marriage rights to same-sex couples perpetuates the belief that non-heterosexual relationships are in some way inferior. Queer Australians should have the option to show their commitment and love towards each other in a way that is globally understood and accepted both socially and legally.
We urge queer students and their friends to visit the website below and learn about the Equal Love campaign. Spread the word about this campaign and be part of the thousands attending the national day of action around Australia on the 1st of August 2009; it is essential that there are as many as people at the day of action as possible, so the government understands how important marriage is to queer people and their loved ones.
Dave and Alli, GSA Queer Officers
