Issues
Issue on this page:
- Federal Relationship Recognition
- Parenting
- Superannuation
- Anti-Discimination
- State Same-sex Marriage
Federal Relationship Recognition
Despite all state governments except SA recognising same-sex relationships, the Federal Government still does not see our relationships as equal to heterosexual ones. As a result, lesbians and gay men are not treated equally in the areas of taxation, social security, insurance, immigration and defence. Without any comprehensive commonwealth recognition for same-sex couples, the lives of thousands of Australians are disadvantaged on a daily basis.
Click here for more information on Federal Relationship Reform.
Parenting
Although the NSW Government recognises same-sex de facto relationships, there is still no legal recognition of the relationship between lesbians, gay men and their children. This has an enormous impact on same-sex families, with most parents and children left with no legal protection.
Following extensive community consultation, the Lobby released the report "...And the Bride Changed Nappies" in April 2003. Written by leading legal academic, Jenni Milbank , the report sets out a number of recommendations for parenting law reform. The recommendations will form the basis of the GLRL's "Family is Family is Family" campaign.
Click here for more information on Parenting.
Superannuation
Over the past decade the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby has been leading the fight for same-sex superannuation reform. In 2004, reform took place which will benefit thousands of lesbians and gay men across the country. However there is still more to be done.
Click here for more information on Superannuation.
Anti-Discrimination & Social Justice
Lesbians and gay men are still subject to homophobic discrimination in all aspects of life including the law, workplace, media and in public. We need a comprehensive federal anti-discrimination act, as well as a more effective state anti-discrimination scheme. More than this, we need to challenge homophobia in all aspects of society to ensure that lesbians and gay men are afforded social justice
Click here for more information on anti-discrimination and Social Justice.
Same-Sex Family Book Project Attacked
Two books written by Brenna Harding and her Mum, Vicki, as part of the Learn to Include Project have been attacked by the State National Party leader, Andrew Stoner as “political correctness gone made”. The books are based around the lives of kids with same-sex parents and were written as an educational tool for primary school children.
The Lobby is proud to be associated with the books and believes that the comments made by Mr Stoner do not reflect the strong support this project has within the community. In order to counter-act the negative and ill-informed comments that have been made, the Lobby is encouraging people to write to the Department of Education, the Attorney General’s Department and the Premier to express their support of such important educational resources.
For more information and what you can do, click here.
State Same-sex Marriage
The Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby has expressed a number of concerns about the proposed introduction into NSW parliament of legislation which aims to create same-sex marriage under NSW law.
These include:
- It will make our relationships seperate and second class. Marriage is an institution under Commonwealth law, and same-sex couples should be fighting to be equal under the same law, not be relegated to a second best scheme.
- State-based marriage will not end all the discrimination that same-sex couples face in taxation, superannuation, immigration and other important areas that have an impact on our day-to-day lives. This will only come under changes to the Federal Marriage Act.
- Introducing a symbolic bill on same-sex marriage into NSW when we are currently fighting for practical rights like parenting and anti-discrimination could potentially jeopardise important law reform for our community.
- The gay and lesbian community in NSW has always been consulted on major issues like relationship recognition and parenting rights as part of the campaign for law reform. There has not been adequate community consultation on this issue. Our community needs to have a say in the laws that will affect our lives.
- Proponents of the bill argue that its aim is to raise debate around marriage. However the debate around marriage needs to be more than symbolic, it needs to focus on what actually matters - making our partnerships both symbolically and legally equal before the law.
Click here for the Lobby's press release on state same-sex marriage.
Click here to read a speech made by GLRL co-convenor, David Scamell, on the issue of state-based same-sex marriage.
Click here for a copy of the legal advice provided by Professor Jenni Millbank, from Sydney University, to the Lobby on the legal impact of state same-sex marriage on the rights of same-sex couples.
Click here for two opinion editorials written by Prof Jenni Millbank on the issue of state same-sex marriage, and the road to relationship recognition.