Queensland Civil Unions to Begin on March 5th

Feb 3rd, 2012

QUEENSLAND'S first same-sex civil unions will be held three weeks before the state's election in a bid to ensure the reforms endure if the Bligh government is defeated. Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser will today announce legislation had been approved for civil unions to start on February 23, with ceremonies able to be held from March 5. "This is a landmark and... read_more

Australian Gay Advocates Push for Senate Inquiry on Gay Marriage

Jan 24th, 2012

Marriage equality advocates were joined by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young just before midday in Canberra today to push for a new Senate inquiry on the issue, which they believe would help tackle lingering concerns held by some MPS as well as members of the wider community. Australian Marriage Equality (AME) convener Alex Greenwich said that an inquiry would be beneficial as... read_more

Olivia Newton-John Says Yes to Marriage Equality

Jan 22nd, 2012

Much loved Aussie performer Olivia Newton-John has thrown her support behind marriage equality this week. "With respect to marriage equality I believe that no one has the right to judge and deny couples who love each other the ability to make a marriage commitment," she said. "Love is love." Newton-John is the latest to join a series of Australian arts and sports... read_more

Australia: Gay MP Ian Hunter to Marry Partner in Spain

Jan 21st, 2012

THE first openly gay state MP, Ian Hunter, will marry his long-term partner, Leith Semmens, in Spain at the end of the year. It is believed Mr Hunter will be the first sitting gay politician of any Australian parliament to be married, although the ACT's Andrew Barr has entered a civil union with his partner, The Advertiser reported. Mr Hunter and Mr... read_more

Australian Celebrities Call for Marriage Equality

Jan 16th, 2012

Three leading Australian film industry figures have signed a statement in support of marriage equality ahead of Australian Marriage Equality's (AME) Equality Dinner in Sydney on Wednesday, January 25. Oscar-winning costume designer Lizzie Gardiner, film critic David Stratton and Emmy Award-winning actor Hugh Jackman made their support known on Tuesday. "Marriage should be about love and respect, not discrimination," the statement reads.... read_more

Australia: Rainbow Flags to Fly at Arena Named for Anti Gay Marriage Tennis Star?

Jan 14th, 2012

A pro-gay protest is in the works to take place at the Australian Open. The Facebook group "Rainbow Flags Over Margaret Court Arena" is asking tennis fans to support the gay community by unfurling rainbow flags during the Aussie Open. In a Facebook post dated Jan. 10, the group explains, "We are a grassroots organization that requests a 'presence' for those... read_more

Wanna Ride on the Mardi Gras Marriage Equality Float in Sydney?

Jan 12th, 2012

Would you like to join the Australian Marriage Equality float at this year's Mardi Gras? Marriage equality was a major theme at last year's Mardi Gras Parade, but the organisers of 2012's float sat they expect it to be even bigger and better than previous years. Australian Marriage Equality need people to help create and build their float, and march and... read_more

Interview: Hope Fading for Gay Marriage This Year in Australia?

Jan 11th, 2012

BRENDAN TREMBATH: Last month the Australian Labor Party voted to change its policy and support gay marriage. But South Australia's only openly gay MP is so pessimistic about the pace of change that he is still organising to get married overseas. He says Australia's lack of action is disappointing because there is broad public support for gay marriage, as Nance Haxton reports. NANCE... read_more

Is Queensland's Civil Unions Law in Jeopardy?

Jan 5th, 2012

Independent Queensland MP Rob Messenger has vowed to introduce a private member's bill to repeal civil unions in Queensland. The Member for Burnett has released a draft version of the bill on his website and has promised to introduce it to Parliament should he be re-elected. "If re-elected, I will present my Civil Union Repeal Bill to the new parliament and will... read_more

Australian MP Steven Jones Plans Strategy for Marriage Equality Bill

Jan 4th, 2012

THE Labor MP who will introduce a bill to legalise same-sex marriage has promised to meet marriage equality advocates to formulate a strategy to give his proposal the greatest chance of success. Backbencher Stephen Jones' pledge, on Melbourne gay radio station Joy FM, follows accusations from gay marriage advocates that Labor was setting up the bill to fail. This week, Australian... read_more

Australian Gay Marriage Activists Urge MP to Hold Legislation Until After Conscience Vote

Jan 2nd, 2012

GAY marriage campaigners are urging a Labor MP to wait until Coalition MPs are granted a conscience vote before he introduces proposals to make same-sex marriage legal. The Labor backbencher, Stephen Jones, is expected to introduce a private member's bill early this year, but it appears likely to be defeated by the combined forces of its Labor opponents - including the... read_more

Australia: Gay Marriage Legislation Next Month May Split Labor Party

Jan 1st, 2012

THE stage is set for a new internal brawl in the Gillard government over same-sex marriage, with a Labor powerbroker predicting that a private member's bill to amend the Marriage Act will further undermine the Prime Minister's leadership. Labor backbencher and Left faction member Stephen Jones will introduce legislation aimed at legalising same-sex marriage when Federal Parliament resumes next month. His... read_more

Australia: The Gay Rights Year in Review

Dec 27th, 2011

Growing activism and a shift in public mood towards marriage equality, culminating in the ALP adopting same-sex marriage as part of its policy platform, was the big news this year. But plenty of other good and not so good things have also gone down. Alex Dunkin gives an overview. January The year began with ACSA saying goodbye to its home of 20... read_more

Australian Psychological Society Supports Gay Marriage

Dec 22nd, 2011

The Australian Psychological Society has officially given its support to full marriage equality for gay couples, adding the voice of its 20,000 members to the debate. The group's board approved an endorsement of the American Psychological Association's resolution this summer, which gave its unequivocal support to the introduction of equal marriage rights for gay couples on behalf of its 100,000 professional... read_more

Australia: Petition Started to Block Queensland Civil Unions Repeal

Dec 21st, 2011

A Brisbane-based equal rights advocate has gathered more than 600 signatures objecting to plans to repeal Queensland's same-sex civil unions legislation. Independent MP Rob Messenger on Tuesday announced he planned to launch his private member's bill after the election to repeal the Civil Partnerships Bill 2011, which allows same sex couples to engage in officially recognised civil unions. But Brisbane-based equal rights... read_more

Queensland Civil Unions Repeal Bill Released

Dec 20th, 2011

Independent Queensland MP Rob Messenger (pictured) has released a draft of his private members bill to repeal the state's civil unions legislation. The Civil Partnerships Repeal Bill was uploaded to Messenger's website today and challenges Liberal National Party (LNP) leader Campbell Newman to allow his party's members a conscience vote on the legislation. "If re-elected, I will present my Civil Partnerships Repeal... read_more

Australia: Liberals Step Up Attacks on Abbott Over Gay Marriage Conscience Vote

Dec 15th, 2011

LIBERALS agitating for a free vote on same-sex marriage have stepped up their campaign, with a key moderate arguing the party has never denied its MPs a conscience vote granted to their Labor rivals. Victorian MP Russell Broadbent yesterday said the Coalition should not be "afraid" of a conscience vote on same-sex marriage while senator Simon Birmingham said he would continue... read_more

Australia's Prime Minister Finally Sets Dinner Date With Gay Couples

Dec 14th, 2011

Same-sex couples hope dinner party talk will help change Prime Minister Julia Gillard's mind about gay marriage. The prime minister has set February 21 as the date she will dine with couples in same-sex relationships at The Lodge in Canberra. The dinner was won by GetUp and Australian Marriage Equality in a charity auction in June. The February meal, after parliament's first... read_more

Australian Gay Activist Thinks Marriage Equality May Come Within the Year

Dec 11th, 2011

An advocate of same-sex marriage believes there is still a chance Australia's marriage laws could be changed within a year, despite Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's reluctance to grant Coalition MPs and senators a conscience vote on the proposal. Australia Marriage Equality national convenor Alex Greenwich said public and political support was growing for the legalisation of same-sex marriage and he believed... read_more

81% of Australians Believe Lawmakers Should Be Able to Vote Their Conscience on Gay Marriage

Dec 11th, 2011

A NEW poll shows an overwhelming majority believes all MPs should be given a conscience vote on same-sex marriage, just as Tony Abbott all but ruled the option out for the Coalition. He also warned his MPs yesterday against crossing the floor to support gay marriage in defiance of party policy. The latest Herald/Nielsen poll shows while support for same-sex marriage... read_more