PRESS RELEASE - 14 September 2004

It’s Time … for a Queer Makeover!

The Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (NSW) has launched its 2004 Federal Election campaign.

Themed on the concept of a queer makeover for our national parliament, the GLRL’s campaign aims to engage the community and focus on the priority issues for our community at this election said GLRL Co-Convenor Rob McGrory.

The outcome of the 9 October poll is especially important for our community. Gay and lesbian voters face some complex considerations. said McGrory. We have had over eight years of attacks on our rights by John Howard and his Government continues to treat us as second class citizens. Unfortunately, while supportive on many issues, the Labor Opposition has lacked the courage to be a strong voice for equality.

Beginning its campaign, the GLRL has joined with ACON to survey key political parties on the issues of importance to our community.

We have asked the parties questions on key gay and lesbian issues such federal anti-discrimination legislation and recognition of our relationships and families said fellow GLRL Co-Convenor Somali Cerise. In light of the recent marriage ban, we have also asked the parties if they support repealing the marriage ban to recognise foreign same sex marriages and if they support extending the definition of marriage to include same sex couples now or in the future.

The GLRL will collate and report the survey results to the community. These results will form part of the content of the GLRL campaign website - www.glrl.org.au/election - alongside summaries of the key issues, an ‘Equality Timeline’ tracking important milestones over the last two decades and some more lightweight content for variety. Visitors will be able to take an ‘Equality Quiz’ and a ‘Makeover Checklist’ will be prepared based on the survey results.

The GLRL campaign will identify the key issues for our community, clearly lay out the positions and promises of the major and minor parities and detail their track records concluded Cerise. We will provide a balanced assessment of the issues based on the interests of our community and assist community members and their family and friends in making informed choices on 9 October.