The "Our Family Values" rally,

held at Sydney Town Hall Square on Saturday, 24 June 2004, was a huge success with around 1,000 people attending. It was an important opportunity for our community to come together to stand up for real Australian family values - equality, respect, acceptance and love. Stevie Clayton was MC and speeches were given by the Rev. Dr. Dorothy McRae McMahon, Chris Wilkinson and a joint speech by Somali Cerise and Rob McGrory. The crowd was entertained by the talented Mark Trevorrow.

The Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby wishes to thank all those people who generously gave of their time to put the event together on a tight timeframe and, importantly, all those members and supporters who attended the rally to protest. In particular, we extend our thanks to Mark Barakett, Scott Carn, Stevie Clayton, Anthony Hillis, Damon Hartley, Megan Lewis, Adrian Lovney, Rev. Dr. Dorothy McRae McMahon, David Skidmore, Mark Trevorrow, Chris Wilksinson, Norwest Productions Pty Limited, ACON, New Mardi Gras, Sydney Pride Centre.

The text of the speech of Rob McGrory and Somali Cerise, the GLRL Convenors, is below.

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"Our Family Values"
Speech by Rob McGrory and Somali Cerise
Convenors
Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby

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Let's have a talk about real family values.

When he opened the Gay Games, Justice Michael Kirby said that, "the movement for equality is unstoppable". We are here today because the movement for equality is facing a little hurdle. John Howard, the Prime Minister who was elected for all of us, has decided that stirring up homophobia is nice little piece of electioneering. Well we are here to send a message: Not happy, John!

Over the last twenty years gay men and lesbians have fought for equality. Gay sex is now legal. Our relationships have been recognized. Finally we obtained an equal age of consent. Australians now know that there is nothing radical about gays and lesbians being treated equally. It all about a fair go. Yet, with an election looming, our Prime Minister has tried to turn back time. Last time it was refugees, leaking boats and babies overboard. This time it's lesbian mums in wedding dresses.

This Federal government is the first government in Australian history that has attempted to pass legislation that winds back gay and lesbian rights. First it was lesbians and IVF. Three weeks ago it was gays and marriage. Howard and Ruddock using our families, our relationships, our lives. A grubby political tactic in the lead up to an election, he doesnâ??t wanna lose.

Let's be honest about what John Howard is trying to do. This Bill is not about gay marriage. It's about John Howard beating the drum of homophobia, to win a few votes. It's about stifling sensible debate and fucking over the Opposition. It's about making everyday Australians feel threatened about things they just haven't thought about. It's about division, discrimination and using us for a free kick. Message to Honest John: We know what you are doing. And we won't take it.

And what about Labor? Well, frankly, they floundered. Caught short by this dirty trick, Labor lacked the courage to oppose this Bill outright. Dear Mr Latham: If you want to represent all kinds of mateship, we expect you to stand up for us too.

Your Rights Lobby vigorously opposed the anti-gay-marriage Bill. Forced to give up on Howard's Liberals, we called on Labor, Greens, Democrats and Independents to oppose this Bill outright. Only the minor parties had the balls to actually do it. After long meetings and too many phone calls, we got Labor to join the other parties and send this Bill to a Senate Committee. At least this way, we get an opportunity to tell the parliament what we want, how we live our lives and show that gay and lesbian equality won't make society crumble.

And then? There was Play School. There's a bear in there. People with games. And stories to tell. But apparently a story about Brenna and her two mums spending a day in Wonderland was just too much. God forbid we should teach our children about diversity, acceptance and love.

It is farcical that two dykes in a park was an important enough issue for Government Ministers to call press conferences all over the country. Do these men have nothing better to do? How is it that the little guy, who knew nothing about the prisoners in Iraq, knew what the ABC was showing toddlers at 9.30 in the morning? Jackie, Vicki and Brenna presented an ordinary story of a happy and healthy Australian family. Our political leaders chose to beat it up. We are all owed an apology.

Today we are here to stand up for real Australian family values. Equality. Respect. Acceptance. Love.

We want an Australia that celebrates our lives. We want to be able to immigrate with our partners. We want queers in the military to be treated the same as everyone else. We want to get the same deal from our super. Our families need Medicare benefits too. We want to hold hands with the ones we love, on the streets and, yes, down the aisle. We will not allow our community to be used as a political punching bag.

Now more than ever, we must stand for a nation that values equality, respect, acceptance and love.

And let's put John Howard where he wants to put you: Last!"