Australia bans same-sex marriage

[alli_cat]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200408/s1176437.htm

Same-sex marriage ban 'a milestone for values'

The Federal Government says a new law banning same-sex marriages is a historic milestone for Australian values.

The legislation, which defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman, passed the Senate yesterday with Labor's support.

National Party Senator Ron Boswell says there is no stronger bond than that between a man and a woman in marriage.

"Most Australians recognise that marriage is a sacred union the most basic building block of society and the foundation of a family," Mr Boswell said.

Democrats leader Andrew Bartlett says the ban is disgusting and upsetting.

'This bill doesn't only degrade marriage and is anti-family, it's anti-human and is a validation of a decline in moral standards and decency," Mr Bartlett said.

Democrats Senator Natasha Stott Despoja says she is also appalled by the legislation.

"This has been a shocker of a week an embarrassing, shameful, disgraceful week," Ms Stott Despoja said.

"In fact, it's one of the most embarrassing weeks in this parliament."

Greens Senator Kerry Nettle says it should never have been passed.

"This piece of legislation legislates official discrimination against a section of our community," she said.

Gay activists believe the law is unconstitutional.

Advocates, including Rodney Croome, are considering a High Court challenge.

"All I can say is that our lawyers are exploring the possibility that this legislation may be unconstitutional," Mr Croome said.

He says it is the first time since Federation that gays and lesbians have had the rights taken away.

 

[alli_cat]

Coalition, Labor pass same-sex marriage ban

Federal Parliament has approved a ban on same-sex marriage, with the legislation passing the Senate with Labor's support.

The Government and the Opposition used their numbers to cut short debate on the bill, the first time the "guillotine" power has been used since December 2002.

The legislation defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman.

Greens Senator Bob Brown has questioned how the ban will work.

"I've got friends in this position, now is their marriage valid or not?" he asked.

"What's going to happen? Are people going to arrive and say, 'Where's your marriage certificate, give it to us, we're going to rip it up'?

"What's Mr Howard going to do?"

Democrats' leader Andrew Bartlett made an emotional attack on the ban.

Senator Bartlett says in the past Aborigines had to seek permission for an inter-racial marriage.

He says the legislation is discriminatory and should not be supported.

"It devalues my marriage. That it's something that only a certain number of people in the community can have access to and others can't purely because... they were born who they are, this is why this offends me so much," Senator Bartlett said

"To say that it defends marriage, when it degrades it so much, is something I find extraordinarily upsetting."

Gay rights groups have condemned the law.

Rodney Croome, from the Equal Rights Network, says gay and lesbian couples deserve to hear the major parties explain why they are determined to curtail basic human rights.

"This is a very dark day in Australian history," Mr Croome said.

"This new legislation carves into legislative stone the second class status of same-sex relationships."

 

[Dalim]

A e-mail I sent to the leader of our opposition party here in Australia

Mark;

Shame shame shame.

I have one question to ask you, what right does government have in dictating how people live their lives and who they choose to affirm their love with?

I understand the reasoning around the church idea of marriage where homosexuality is unacceptable, yet civil union, the kind I share with my wife, is to be denied to a whole section of the Australian community. It is bad enough that Gay couple have no rights to super, or similar rights shared by the rest of society in terms of de-facto relationships. Now we have also told them they cannot legally join together to affirm their love and devotion to each other.

As for the pouting of our Prime Minister who feels that 'gay marriage' will result in loss of "the value and therefore erode the special character and therefore the contribution to society of marriage." Look in streets like mine, single mum's, abusive families, siblings with different fathers. Where is this fabled marriage? Is John Howard that? Is your marriage? You and John are just like everybody else, like my wife and I, we struggle and strive to besome a better couple. Why should people who are willing to enter an agreement to love and support each other be unable to have the same rights as 'straight' people?

Are there any answers you can give me?

 

[Dalim]

And one I sent ot my member of the House of Representatives (I think that would be like the congress in USA, and the main house in UK (not the house of Lords)...)


Joanna;

I realise that my message here will not be reaching sympathetic ears, I still feel that I need to tell you as my representative in the parliament what I feel.

Gay marriage is not something that governement should ban nor is it something that government should have a say in. It is simply a personal matter that individuals should be able to decide for themselves. What kind of a system of government do we have that legislates against people afirming love and affection towards each other?

I am married to a beautiful lady, yet if I had felt the urge at some point in my life to be comitted to a man how dare the government of the day tell me that I can not marry the man (person) I love and care for.

Joanna, please don't support this legislation, look for alternatives but don't abandon individual's rights. If some people are offended by the term 'marriage' being applied to 'gay marriage' lets find a different term, a different definition, afirming vows etc.

 

[Dalim]

I have not too date recieved any replies to these and i hold little hope that I ever will but at least I let them know my feelings on the matter.

All Australians, Gay Lesbian, Bi and straight should send a message to their representatives and tell them what they think should be done... and remember who said what and vote accordingly in the up coming election

Go GREENS!!!

Or at least minor parties ( not Fred Nile though)

 

[taolanes]

the gay marriage debate again....