Pinkboard Graffiti Wall - Equality Graffiti Wall 5

I had to laugh when John Howard critised the proposed A.C.T. same sex register, as amoung other reasons, it includes a facility for a "ceremony", which by the very fact of having a cerenmony is too much like marriage!
Whilst the existing Tasmanian Register does NOT have the facility for an off-site ceremony, the City of Sydney one DOES.... so how did that one slip under John Howard's radar?????? Being able to have the ceremony performed off-site, means that sympathetic religions can perform the "ceremony" (such as MCC Church), and that is happening, and has already happened, since launch on Jan 15th 2005, with the 44 people who have signed up already having done so at a time & place & ceremony of thier choosing. (including ceremonies performed by REGISTERED MARRIAGE CELEBRANTS... another criticism of the A.C.T. model by John Howard & Philip Ruddock that registered marriage celebrants should not perform same sex union ceremonies.... but hey, they are in Sydney!)
So it just sounds like the Govt picking on the A.C.T. for no good reason, if two of thier "earth shattering" criticisms are of two aspects already taking place in the City of Sydney Relationship Declaration Program.

They've got two very good reasons to stir this up.

IR Laws.

AWB scandal.

It's called diversionary tactics.

This is how the international press is interpreting John Howard's move: http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/04/040206ozHoward.htm
All I can say is hang on to the existing City of Sydney Register with both hands...

"..it just sounds like the Govt picking on the A.C.T. for no good reason, if two of thier "earth shattering" criticisms are of two aspects already taking place in the City of Sydney Relationship Declaration Program."

- This is true... if you look closely at the 9 page Information Pack, and 5 page Application form for the NSW Relationship Register (links below), then you can see that these things can & are taking place already, with 1). actual registered marriage celebrants performing the ceremonies, and of course 2). as part of an actual ceremony at any time or place of thier choosing, including inside sympathetic Australian Church buildings!

General Background info- http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Community/ServicesAndPrograms/RelationshipsDeclarationProgram.asp
Detailed Information Pack on how the NSW/Sydney Register links in to enhance current NSW De-Facto legislation- http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Community/documents/ServicesAndPrograms/RelationshipsDeclarationProgram/RelationshipsDeclarationProgramInfoPack.pdf
Application Form- http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Community/documents/ServicesAndPrograms/RelationshipsDeclarationProgram/RelationshipsDeclarationProgramApplicationForm.pdf

So it is definatly a case of double standards, and the Federal Govt picking on the A.C.T. for two aspects of their register that NSW are already doing in theirs since Jan 15th 2005! The funny thing is that the Govt DIDN'T attack the actual legal recognition (of which there are big differences), but the Symbolic & Societal Recognition. I find that very interesting... & homophobic. By far, then the City of Sydney gives the most Symbolic Recognition in the whole country, yet has slipped under the radar- probably due, as mentioned before to the "launch" of the Sydney one being a total non-event slipped in by Clover in between ducking for cover being attacked daily on the newspaper front pages for putting up the wrong Christmas decorations! A planned brochure & launch never eventuated & the Register was just silently launched by word of mouth & small articles that weren't even aware of the actual launch date of Jan 15th 2005. (unless you went trauling through the council minutes).

"One of the most recent couples to join the register is Tracie Reinten and Rebecca Reynolds from Camperdown, who held a private ceremony in February.
“We decided to go on the register as it provided an ideal opportunity to reaffirm our relationship and commitment to each other and to make that commitment in front of our family and friends,” Reinten said.
“We are also planning to travel overseas soon to work and thought having an official certificate of our relationship status may assist with visa arrangements – particularly where same-sex relationships are recognised in other countries of the world.
“Generally, the kind of formal commitment [the register] intends is respected by most people, even if not by the laws of Australia.”
Ken Adkins and John Kacprzak decided to register their relationship to mark their 10-year anniversary.
Another reason to do it was that he and Kacprzak own properties together, and the registration certificate might come in handy to prove their interdependency.
He hopes that, if Australia one day follows suit with other Commonwealth nations, such as Britain, Canada and New Zealand, and introduces civil unions or marriage, their registered relationship will automatically be recognised as such."
http://www.ssonet.com.au/display.asp?ArticleID=5179
.... that's an interesting angle, on how people who sign up to the register should have it automatically recognised as a civil union or gay marriage when they eventually come into force in Australia. In that case, one huge benefit would be that you can go ahead & have your ceremony & Relationship Certficate NOW while you still look young & hot in your ceremony photos!!! ..then it will automatically be upgraded for you later into a recognised Civil Union.

With 84 glossy pages with everything from planning your ceremony, to same-sex wedding rings, pre-nups, choosing a celebrant, and organising the reception. There's also an interesting feature on the high profile 2Day FM celebrity gay wedding performed by the Metropolitan Community Church in Sydney. It's a real eye opener to see a whole magazine dedicated to this one issue! http://www.dnamagazine.com.au/

And they've even got 2 half naked boys on the front cover. Geez it's bound to be riveting reading.....

Let's try and remember that marriage is different to a "wedding".

Wonderful to see the future direction for exploitation of the pink dollar!

I've read it cover to cover, & it is extremely informative & lays the issues out in the open & thrashes out all the nuts & bolts, including through the in-depth stories & photos of dozens of real life couples. I was very surprised by the detail & research that has gone into this month's issue of the magazine. I would like to see DNA continue like this, making it more like the fabulous & informative U.S. magazine, "The Advocate".

It would be great if they became more like The Advocate. the first step would be to drop the obligatory half naked man/men on the front cover.....

At the very end of the NSW Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby face to face consultations, they asked should they also try for state based civil unions here in NSW.
Well... 1) the words "civil union" are a VERY loose term (originally created in Vermont USA), that can mean almost any union with all manner of varying rights from none at all to some, and .... 2) in NSW we already have a "civil union" option in the City of Sydney Relationship Register open to all NSW residents, that has some exciting aspects to it, namely the option to incorporate a ceremony performed at a time & place of your own choosing (yes- even Dubbo), yet still recorded in the council registry, and also records how long you've already been in your committed NSW de-facto relationship. And, as a bonus, it's open to straights as well.
So the question of whether we need a state-based register in NSW is a mute point, as it's already there & duplicating it would be unneccesary. Whether other states who currently have nothing choose to pursue it is up to them, but in NSW, there is no point even asking the question, as we already have a NSW "civil union" scheme in place.
Just on the face to face consultations in general- the one I went to was fantastic, very well run, and I got such a positive vibe from everyone about moving towards full equality, including access to full equal choice. It will be great to see the final results of it all. I detest paying equal (or in many cases, HIGHER) taxes than straight people, yet are limited in my everyday ordinary life choices like a second class segregated citizen. Especially in the areas of paying HIGHER taxes as punishment for being in a long term committed relationship. Just as the "heirachy" were forced to give equal rights to blacks who were paying equal taxes, but weren't allowed to marry whites, our time will come too.

"A complaint by a gay man to the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board (ADB) against The Daily Telegraph has resulted in the newspaper publishing a letter by the complainant in support of same-sex marriage this week."
http://www.evolutionpublishing.com.au/sxnews/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=244&Itemid=41
... good on him! The Daily Telegraph single handedly shut down anti-homophobia training in schools last year(with the final honours done by gutless LABOR), and are "well known" for their anti-gay bias compared to say the Sydney Morning Herald/ Sun Herald.
I'm telling you- buy the SMH & vote Greens! We are not invisible & are not to walked all over- especially by LABOR who think they can kick us & we'll still keep voting for them decade after decade. YES- let LABOR win Govt, but only by Preferences by voting Greens as Primary Vote, so Greens will have more of a say in how that LABOR govt is run, instead of the fanatical Christians LABOR seems so interested in at the moment (when their not bo-towing to the Daily Telegraph!). Check out the Greens website for their long standing open & straighforward committment to GLBT Equality, and the thing I love is that their leader is gay!
http://greens.org.au/policies/careforpeople/lgbti
Leader Bob Brown & his partner should be one of the first couples married once full equality is legal here in Oz.

just received this email this morning from the right's lobby.





SBS Insight is looking to record a program on same sex relationships on
May 12 at the SBS studios in Sydney. If you haven't seen Insight, it is
a 52 minute 'forum-based'' current affairs program which tackles just
one issue per program.

In this program we hope to look at 'federal recognition' of same sex
couples, and discuss what same sex couples miss out on by not being
legally recognised. We will then move into the symbolism and choices
around civil unions and marriage.

We are looking for a range of couples, and singles (not to discriminate) to
talk about their ideas and experiences in same sex
relationships. In particular I would be interested to hear from anyone
who might have been adversely effected by the current system. I believe
this primarily effects workplace issues, pensions and supers. But we'd
also be interested to hear from people who have had issues with adoption
and child custody - or any other family law issues.

In a perfect world I would also like to talk to couples who have
travelled overseas to engage in a civil union or marriage - or who are
planning to do so in the near future.

We are looking to have a colourful and lively debate with politicians,
commentators, and members of the general public about the issue of same
sex relationships.

Many thanks for your thought.

Kind regards,
Skye Docherty

Producer / Reporter
Insight, SBS TV
Sydney, Australia

E: skye.docherty@sbs.com.au

".... that's an interesting angle, on how people who sign up to the (Sydney) Register should have it automatically recognised as a civil union or gay marriage when they eventually come into force in Australia. In that case, one huge benefit would be that you can go ahead & have your ceremony & Relationship Certficate NOW while you still look young & hot in your ceremony photos!!! ..then it will automatically be upgraded for you later into a recognised Civil Union."

- I agree.... you get to a point where you just have to get on with your life & do what you want to do whether it's "fully" recognised or not... and at least take full advantage of what tools are already available, such as the Sydney/NSW Register.
John Howard must DEFINATELY have been asleep when he let the Sydney Register slip in, as yes- it does actually cater for an actual ceremony performed anywhere in NSW, (even by marriage celebrants), with the council certificate issued on the spot during the ceremony, and a copy sent back to Sydney to be stored at the council.
Being based around recording your legal NSW de-facto relationship though, the fact it also officially records how long you have already been together is a real innovation.

why dont we organise a mass gay wedding ?
then the government and opposition will have to sit up and take notice as im sure it will attract alot of media attention.we should approach one of the embassys of the countries that allow it and try to get the event on there grounds which i beleive may make it legal but a lawyers opinion here may be required.
but another point that may need discussion is with gay marraige comes divorce how do we approach this especially when children maybe involved. What also will be the cost socially and economically with the tie up of the legal system in such cases.
I think we need to have our own convention on the issues so we have the answers when confronted .

A mass gay wedding, or even a mock version held on the front grounds of, say, the Canadian Embassy would be very embarrassing to our 1850s conservative government. I like the idea!

Just check if people would need passports and visas to legitimately enter the Embassy for such a purpose.

Failing that, go on a cruise outside the five-mile limit (I'm sure it's much more than five miles these days), and get married at sea by the Captain of the ship.

This has already been done, in Melbourne, with 600 gays getting hitched in a mass committment ceremony- unfortunately it was not recorded anywhere, as Melb/Vic have no Relationship Register.
But..... if the same exercise were done in Sydney, using the City of Sydney Relationship Register, it would all get recorded & certificates issued... and yes, that WOULD create QUITE A STIR!
Maybe we can book this in for August 13th Marriage Ban Anniversary (a Sunday this year), & get some marriage celebrants to perform it (who under the Sydney Register, CAN perform the ceremony of the Relationship Declaration & issuing of Certificates on behalf of Council, at off-site locations of your own choosing.) Maybe those 600 people from Melbourne could come too, get an official certificate recording their relationship in Sydney & then demand recognition of thier state/city when they return to Melbourne.

Ok- lets book it in, & get it happening. Perfect next step for the second anniversary of the national marriage ban protests- and it's on a Sunday this year.

It needs publicity. The Mardi Gras doesn't even get TV coverage any more, and that radio wedding is long forgotten (2day was it?). A nice touch would be to fill it with as many johnnie look-alikes as possible...

With the current Gay Cowboy contestant on Big Brother, I think the August 13th Mass Wedding to protest the marriage ban, should not only have everyone sign up to the City of Sydney Relationship Register, but everyone should wear cowboy hats! That would be a great visual protest.

Thank you for telling more than I wanted to know about Big Brother.

Hey everyone!!

I¡¦ve received a couple of emails asking for details on the rally this Saturday, the 29th April, held by us, Queer Action, so hear it is. I¡¦m not really going to go into the purpose of the rally, the main being to support Chief Minister Jon Stanhope, and oppose PM John Howard Blocking the Civil Unions Bill 2006. If you want more detail, please go to our website or email us...

Ok, the basic details are as follows: the place we are meeting is the ACT Legislative Assembly on London Cct in the City there is ample parking on both sides. We will be meeting at 1.30pm, with the aim to start walking at around 2pm. Please bring as much pride colour as you can and our pride spirit.

For the party goers, there will be an after party at Cube Nightclub, which is located in Bailey¡¦s Corner, starting at 10pm. The theme is stereotypical gay, basically think of your favourite stereotype and pull it out if the closet, so to speak. Cover will be $10 as per usual, and hopefully we will see you on Saturday the 29th at either the rally or the after party!!
Chookas!!

Nathan
Queer Action

Web: www.freewebs.com/queer_action

Wearing cowboy hats is great idea- but the only real lasting impact will to be to record all the couples at the mass wedding onto the City of Sydney Relationship Register- as the 600 people at the Melbourne mass wedding are now all but forgotten. But as the homophobic-Christian groups keep updating their members with figures on how many people have signed up to the Sydney & Tas registers so far, imagine thier shock if it recorded an instant jump of 600 people in Sydney! (or hopefully more)

Here is the link for the NSW Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby survey on what type of relationship recognition you would like... For example full equal choice & equality or something less befitting 2nd class citizens.
http://www.dandmresearch.com.au/survey/dw60302.asp
Anyway, it's good we are being asked, and it's interesting this is one of the reasons that David quoted as why he didn't immediatley come out on Big Brother "there are still laws in this country that discriminate" either directly or in what they deny in rights by keeping us as stigmatised 2nd class citizens paying equal or higher taxes with less rights especially if you dare to attempt to enter a long term relationship!

So I have 24 hours to get to Canberra, line up a pair of leathers with the bum cut out, buy an Akubra hat and one of the really metallic looking rave shirts.

Does anyone have a phone number for emergency liposuction?

Seriously, hope you guys can make enough noise to let jwh know that he's ignoring real people. I'll be there in spirit.

Yes- this year's August 13th Marriage Ban Anniversary on Sunday would be perfect for people to sign up to a mass "wedding" recorded onto the City of Sydney Relationship Register.
Not only should long term couples who are not married sign up, but all those who have already married overseas should sign up as well- as that is what the marriage ban was really about- banning recognition of legal marriages performed overseas... so finally getting those relationships recorded here by the welcoming Sydney Register on the day of the anniversary of the ban would be great. (And if everyone wore cowboy hats that would be even better!)

Hi Guys
I am thinking about putting together a mass gay commitment ceremony to be held in Lane Cove National Park, Sydney, on Sunday 10th September 2006. Please let me know if any of you are interested in this. Then, depending on the numbers of positive responses, I will arrange it.
I would reserve a large area, with parking, toilets and a BBQ where it could be held.
Regards
Tim Addison
Civil Marriage Celebrant
Registration Number A7007
e-mail: info@marriages.net.au
Phone: 9989-8525

Is there a significance of the date 10 September? does it coincide with some festival?

good on you tim for organising this
I hope you have a great turnout.Now is the time for us to show people we really want this
Wish i could attend but alas i have not found the one i want to marry(or probably have me)
m

"The ALP has again demonstrated divisions on the issue of queer rights, with a NSW Labor MP airing anti-gay comments in Parliament.
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon reacted stridently to Donnelly’s position on her private member’s bill, saying that Labor should be “ashamed” of Donnelly’s comments. “Labor should be shamed that in 2006 its MPs use parliament as a forum for expressing these kind of outdated, homophobic and dangerous views,” she told SX. “It is exactly this kind of unreconstructed nonsense from Mr Donnelly that the Greens’ private member’s bill is designed to guard against.”
The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) also took exception to Donnelly’s comments, saying they blurred the lines between church and state.
Federal Labor MP Nicola Roxon, who recently censured Prime Minister John Howard for his anti-gay stance, declined to censure Donnelly and would not be drawn on the apparent split within Labor on GLBT rights."


- Labor blurring the lines between Church & State is right! The MP's comments about Marriage are flawed, as many Churches & religions DO perform & support Same Sex Marriage, and Marriage in Australia is a CIVIL function- i.e. we are not run by Taliban-style religeous law. In fact we have many religions (including many who support AND perform same sex marriages), with Marriage ultimately being ONLY a civil funtion first & foremost in regards to legal recognition.

http://www.evolutionpublishing.com.au/sxnews/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=247&Itemid=41
Link for full article...

Labor don't deserve to win government. After seeing the Budget tonight, I really have to hand it to Liberals- they have done a fantastic job of running the country, as the majority of people/voters agree election after election, till they now have full control of the Senate. Maybe we need to try & turn them from the inside into supporting Queer rights- it can't be any harder than trying the same thing bashing our heads against a brick wall with the new Bible-Bashing-Labor.
Or better yet, as previous posters have mentioned- just vote Greens & let your Primary Vote actually count in showing support for their strong Gay Equal Rights Policy (then vote Liberals in #2 secondary vote for the preferences). That combination will REALLY shake things up, in Libs and Labor.
The major parties always take very close notice of any movements in the Primary votes away from the two majors, as with One Nation, and now Family First where both Libs & Labor are both clamoring to copy Family First's policies to counter that increasing Primary Vote trend.
If there were multitudes of Primary Votes going to the Greens based on GLBT & other issues (Greens have publicly axed thier drug legalisation policy, so that's no longer a problem), then both parties will copy their stance- but I would give the Preferences for actually forming government to Liberals. So- number Greens as No.1, then Libs No.2. That way the Libs will have to take notice & hopefully copy the Greens' Gay Equal Rights Policy, yet for actually forming Govt the Preferences go to Libs to keep running the country in a surplus, vs the horrific monetary disasters of a factional & ineffective Labor who voters may not trust to be in office for another 10 years or more.

I just saw a recent advert on television asking people to donate blood. From what I can remember they list a whole lot of things such as "are you pregnant" , "had a blood transfusion" and "lived in the UK between 1980-1996 for more than six months". Then they said if you said "NO" to all of these then you can donate blood!

Because they failed to include did you have "male to male sex" does that mean we can now donate blood... well we no the answer to that one is still no!

I just wonder why they left out some eligibility criteria from thier advert and not others!

You actually believe that trash that little johnnie dishes out?

The $10 billion "Beazley Black Hole" never existed.
The "so-called surplus" is GST withheld from the States and petrol excise on which we ALSO pay GST,
The people who can afford the higher petrol prices because of tax-cuts are those already in the highest income bracket, bugger the rest of us.
johnnie's betrayed us by selling us something we already owned (Telstra), and you can only sell an asset once--kiss the income it was generating goodbye as more profits are shipped overseas. Perhaps I can sell you your car or your house? Would you like to buy the pair of shoes you're wearing from me?

The ideal situation in Parliament would be the Major Party getting two seats (after all Labor and Liberal are ONE PARTY masquerading as two), and the rest of the seats to independents, each sworn to their own constituency.

Whilstever these "two parties" vehemently oppose each other, i.e., "Your policy is the correct one, but we have to shout it down," and can only "agree" on self-congratulatory pay-rises the only equality we can expect is "Globalization".

Globalization: The concerted effort of a few rich people to ensure that the rest of us get an equal share of poverty.

"Myth: Marriage is God-ordained and eternal, and same-sex marriage will destroy the institution.
Fact: In our secular, multi-faith society marriage is a civil institution. It has changed significantly over the years: where once marriage treated women like property, forced young people into unions against their will, and was closed to inter-racial or inter-denominational couples, it is now a voluntary union between adults of any creed or colour. In those countries with equal marriage, heterosexual marriage and divorce rates have remained the same or are improving."

Myth: Marriage is for procreation and is therefore necessary for the survival of the species.
Fact: The law allows heterosexual couples to marry even if they are infertile, post-menopausal or choose not to have children. Up to a quarter of same-sex couples care for children. These children should have the same opportunity as other children to enjoy whatever benefits marriage brings to families.

http://www.coalitionforequality.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=70

- interesting seeing proper logical answers against these Myths, rather than just "god will get angry"!
The other one, not listed is that homosexuality is not natural.... well it has been recorded in over 400 species of animals, including the lasted case of 2 gay penguins in a New York Zoo who have partnered up as a couple & even have regular sex though the are both male, through to gay animals with larger brains than humans such as gay killer whales, and gay dolphins.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/02/07/MNG3N4RAV41.DTL

"(Canberra) Same-sex couples in the Australian Capital Territory will be able to have civil unions under legislation passed Thursday by the Legislative Assembly.
It is the broadest legislation affecting gay and lesbian couples in the country, stopping just short of offering full marriage.
When ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope first proposed civil unions he said they would mirror civil partnerships in the United Kingdom. The announcement was met with a threat by the federal government to enact a bill nullifying the ACT legislation.
What finally passed the Assembly was only moderately amended but Stanhope said he believes it meets all of the objections of Prim Minister John Howard's government.
The Assembly gallery was packed with gays and lesbians as the vote was taken.
"It's a real feeling of elation," one person told ABC television.
"It distinguishes us from any other jurisdiction in the country. It's something that a lot of us didn't think would come for many more decades."
Australian Marriage Equality called on the federal government to abandon any plans to overturn the legislation.
"Australians are increasingly aware of and uncomfortable with laws which discriminate against and exclude gays and lesbians. Most Australians would view an overturning of the ACT legislation as unjust", said spokesperson Peter Furness.
In 2004 the Australian government passed legislation defining marriage as between a man and a woman (story) and Prime Minister Howard has refused to consider national civil union legislation.
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/05/051106oact.htm

.. This is fantastic news & will really get the ball rolling. This is now 3 Australian States/Terr with some sort of Registration or Union schemes- joining the Tasmanian State Register, and the City of Sydney Relationship Register(open to all NSW residents).
The Sydney & ACT schemes also allow for a ceremony.
South Australia or Melbourne will be next cabs off the rank. Once the whole country is covered, the case can be made for either a national system, or even better national access to Civil Marriage (YES- marriage is a CIVIL function in this country.. we're not run by the Taliban).
The most exciting thing is that couples from all over Australia can come to Canberra to have thier civil union in the nation's capital. Then when they return to thier home states, such as QLD, WA etc who have nothing, they can demand that it be recognised, or in Tas or NSW demand that their existing registration schemes be upgraded to match the A.C.T.
Wooohooo, well done to all the volunteers, and to all the marchers who converged on Canberra last month on 3 days notice to ensure the bill stayed alive.

Gay penguins got a good write up much earlier on this Wall including that MM couples would stay together even after being introduced to female opportunities. It seems the emotional bond already established exceeded anything to do with hormones--right down to the males nesting rocks as replacements for eggs.

Remember: jwh has forced through legislation that says the Federal Government will not recognise a same-sex marriage from another jurisdiction, but as marriage is actually State-based, each State CAN choose to recognise that relationship. As I've mentioned previously, Social Insecurity will recognise gay co-habitation (de-facto relationship) in order to reduce payment--so now we have IN WRITING the evidence that our government is two faced.

The Christian Lobby has launched a full-scale 2-day attack on civil unions. We must show our power in numbers too.

URGENT: Alert John Howard NOT to overturn the ACT Civil Unions bill here: http://www.pm.gov.au/email.cfm

Some reasons:
- civil unions are not marriage
- overturning the laws is undemocratic
- civil unions celebrate love/commitment
- not recognising gay couples is discriminatory
- civil unions give proof of relationship (for property rights, etc)

** Please pass this on to 3 people you know in the next 3 minutes

John Kloprogge
0422 913 942


----Original Message Follows----
From: "ACL National Office" <natoffice@acl.org.au>
To: "Jim Wallace AM" <natoffice@acl.org.au>
Subject: Alert Team Email
Date: Mon, 15 May 2006 16:29:02 +1000

Dear ACL Alert Team Member

ACL has an urgent request to make of you: wherever you live in Australia, please could you contact the Prime Minister today or tomorrow and ask him to overturn the controversial Civil Unions Act which has recently passed the ACT Legislative Assembly.

You can email the Prime Minister by filling out the form on his website. http://www.pm.gov.au/email.cfm

Ask him to overturn the Civil Unions Act which mimics marriage by creating a same sex relationship that is not marriage but is to be treated as if it were and which entails all the same processes as marriage, such as a
statutory declaration, public witnesses and a ceremony at which a licensed celebrant presides. The Act seems to be in conflict with the federal Marriage Act which defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

ACL has contacted our alert team because you have made a commitment to act quickly on key issues. Please could you email the PM in the next few days so that he is made aware of the strength of opposition to the Civil Unions Act
across Australia.

If you have any questions, please contact ACL on 02 6259 0431.

Beth

---------------------------------------------------

Beth Micklethwaite

Researcher

---------------------------------------------------

Australian Christian Lobby

Suite 9, Level 1, 16 National Circuit

BARTON ACT 2600


Ph: 02 6259 0431

Fax: 02 6259 0462

www.acl.org.au

Courtesy of PFLAG (Vic), Please pass on.

Regards
John K

***

Hi Guys,

Just to let you know there is a programme on SBS ("Insight") tomorrow night @ 7.30pm. Presented by Jenny Brockie. Examines legal discrimination against same sex couples."

Could be worth a look.

Best regards
John C

That rude Catholic Gay guy on Insight who sat there in a room full of gay couples & said "where are all these gay people in relationships... they don't exist".
Well of course gays lack visibility with tossers in the Catholic church (& their supporters) blocking & shouting down that visibility.
Maybe many of those young gay guys in the bush who commit suicide each time some hateful Catholic speaks out about gays being second class citizens would have some hope if they could see that there are equal rights at the end of the tunnel. What hurts even more are rude loudmouth Gay Catholics who want to ram thier point of view down your throat that gays are second class citizens (although they get to pay MORE tax than straights)- these gay Catholics are the ultimate in self homophobia.
This idiot got some publicity on Rodney Croome's website with his waste-of-time Catholic weblog, then in DNA magazine... but after watching him in action tonight, he's best forgotten completely till he grows up & the Catholic brainwashing starts to wear off. I suggest he starts by defecting to the Gay & Lesbian run MCC church.

"Same-sex parents 'deserve equality'
SAME-sex parents should have the same rights afforded to heterosexual parents, a former chief justice of the Family Court said today.
Alistair Nicholson said it was time the rest of Australia fell into line with modern notions of marriage and what it meant to be a good parent.
"I just don't see why same-sex couples should not be able to receive the same freedoms and rights as other people – and I don't see why their children should be discriminated against, either," Mr Nicholson said on SBS.
Traditional notions of marriage were changing and it was time Australia considered what was best for the children of same-sex couples, Mr Nicholson said.
His comments follow a week of debate after the ACT Government passed a law allowing homosexual civil unions in the territory.
Mr Nicholson said it was time for change.
"It seems to me that to freeze a concept in time is mistake," he said. "
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,19160651-29277,00.html

- It was a very good show. Good to see the print media has pounced on it straight away. The regilious kooks (gay or otherwise) come out looking like tossers. Many of the gay couples speaking from experience were very moving & it was great to see such an endorsment from the former Cheif Justice.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/marsden-dies-on-holiday/2006/05/18/1147545424833.html

“I think it is a form of minority fundamentalism to say that you have to, in every aspect of one’s institutions and one’s arrangements in society, have technical equivalence,” Howard said.
He made the comments during a question and answer session with students at University College Dublin on Monday during a visit to Ireland.
....a recent Newspoll showed the majority of Australians supported gay relationship recognition.
The survey of 1,200 Australians found 52 percent thought the federal government should introduce a new law to formally recognise same-sex relationships"
http://www.ssonet.com.au/display.asp?ArticleID=5375

... Well it had to happen. As more & more civilised countries implement equal marriage rights to their citizens, or civil union schemes, whilst our Govt shoved us back in time by writing extra discrimination INTO law (something even George Bush has not been able to acheive, thanks to the Democrats blocking it over there, and gutless Labor approving it here), John Howard is going to be slapped with questions like this whenever he travels overseas. Although Ireland doesn't have equal marriage yet, they ARE debating it.... i.e. moving forward, as opposed to moving backwars with the Howard/Labor Marriagen Ban here.

Its no good bagging howard and the liberals on this page ,in recent times labor and the labor offshoot the greens have failed to bring about significant change.
We should now demand change or withdraw our support from these partys.
But on a serious issue we need to have a convention and have people telling us what they want ...not the over politisised drivel
we need to understand the issues ahead of us
and our social probleums from drugs depression and the self imposed genocide of gay men in their indifference to contracting hiv.

"Warren Entsch, one of the five Liberal backbenchers who called for same-sex civil unions last year, has written to all commonwealth parliamentarians asking for support to end anti-gay discrimination.
Entsch, a Liberal MP from Queensland, wrote to MPs this week, saying he was “alarmed to discover the extent of the discrimination that exists in federal government legislation”, The Australian reported."
http://www.ssonet.com.au/display.asp?ArticleID=5399

... This is becoming like the civil rights / equal rights push for Blacks in the 60's. It has all the same elements, and all the same discrimination & lack of access to equal rights.
Hey- if a Liberal MP can start a letter writing campaign to all MP's to support gay equal rights, then I can too.

Now is your chance to have YOUR voice heard on the issue of SAME SEX, SAME ENTITLEMENTS. The deadline for Submissions is this Friday 2nd June.

For details on what the Inquiry is all about, and for details on how to forward your own personal story about being gay or lesbian & wanting "same entitlements", then go to the National Coalition for Equality website:
http://www.coalitionforequality.org.au/

or the Human Rights Commissions site is http://www.hreoc.gov.au/samesex/submissions.html

Just as Howard distorted the republic referendum by asking the people 'do you want a republic with a president elected by parliament', yadeyada...the question here should not be 'do gays deserve the right to marry', but do we deserve the same rights as any other human being in this country? Marriage is a hetero concept and may not be the model we need to emulate, however equal rights in regard to inheritance, super, tax, prison/hospital visitation, adoption, etc etc....are.

"I had to laugh when John Howard critised the proposed A.C.T. same sex register, as amoung other reasons, it includes a facility for a "ceremony", which by the very fact of having a cerenmony is too much like marriage!"

- This is what all the debate is about in the A.C.T.... the christian conservatives don't want any "public displays" of a same-sex relationship "joining in partnership", like a marriage. Well guys- this IS happening already, right under thier noses in the gay capital of Australia.
I agree- we should utilise this "public ceremony" aspects available in the City of Sydney Relationship Register to have a Mass Committment Ceremony (or better yet, call it a Mass "Wedding"), on the 2yr August 13th Anniversary of the Howard/Roxon Marriage Ban on recognising legitimate same-sex marriages performed overseas. If 2DAYFM can do it, then we can lead the charge- maybe Geoff & Jason can come along too & renew thier vows? The only thing is... if you & you partner are thinking of ACTUALLY signing up to the Register & get your Certificate on the day... you will need to lodge your application with the Council at least 30days before the event- i.e., lodge by 13th July.
Can't wait for this year's Rally- it's going to be bigger than ever as momentum builds. If David is out of the BB house, maybe he can come too wearing his (gay) Cowboy Hat, seeing as he is very very passionate about talking about gay equal rights & discrimination.

"If for no other reason, the people who run the gay-friendly Tillman Park Children's Centre in Marrickville should be condemned for a lack of good business sense.
If their perverse crusade to promote the gay lifestyle to toddlers succeeds, they'll be out of business in a generation. "
http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,19265482-5001031,00.html

- The purpose of diversity training is three-fold- 1. it caters to the kids who are already the children of gay/lesbain parents, 2. it reduces youth suicide in those who may be gay themselves in not feeling invisible (gay/lesbian issues are one of the LEADING causes of suicide), and 3. it promotes TOLERANCE & understanding in the remaining "straight" kids- it does NOT turn them gay as the Daily Telegraph editor is clearly suggesting.
I wonder how close his/her comments border on public vilification? Unfortunately the last time the Telegraph single handedly pulled anti-homophobia training in high schools, Labor backed them up & pulled the course.
I don't think it's News Ltd that's the problem- just this homophobic, homohysterical editor of The Daily Telegraph. Maybe he/she should have gone to see all the kids at Fair Day this year.
That was the last straw for me- I won't be buying the Telegraph ever again (or voting Labor). As much as I hate the gigantic hard to read pages of the Sydney Morning Herald, it will have to do.

This is a disgusting campaign by the Tele, and Channel 9, to turn a progressive bit of education into a scare campaign. If kids can learn about mums and dads and boyfriends and girlfriends without getting the details of heterosexual sex, why can't they learn about mums and mums and boyfriends and boyfriends without the details of homosexual sex?

Please get your fingers tapping and write to the Tele.
letters@dailytelegraph.com.au

http://media.theaustralian.news.com.au/20060527-gay_player.htm

Frightening. If Putin can do it, can Howard make it happen here?

I write to you today to express my dismay at a disturbing incident that I have recently been made aware of.

A long time friend of mine who is gay and working at a private Catholic School as a teacher was recently suspended and will probably be terminated from his position because it was discovered that he was in an openly all male gay band. Apparently some of his students "Googled" his name and found the details and pictures of the band on the internet. Complaints from some apparently very narrow minded parents to the education department have resulted in the matter being referred over the head of the school Principle and directly onto the Catholic Education Office. As part of his suspension notice it was deemed that by being in a gay band that had an active public internet site with photos that he was "promoting a lifestyle that goes against the Catholic ethos."

My friend at no time has promotoed his sexuality at his workplace with his students. All the teachers at the school including the Principle are outraged and in full support of my freind however the matter has gone above the Principle.

My friend has told me the outrageous news that he cannot complain about this obvious breache of the sexual discrimination act based on the fact that apparently "religious organisations" are exempt from that same act. It astounds me in this supposed "enlightened age" that a religious organisation is exempt from the act. How can this be ?

Why does he stay in that system?

Aren't there other places that he can teach?

Doesn't he find it difficult dealing with gay students are a quite realistically being psychologically abused by such a system? Doesn't he feel helpless when he witnesses homophobic abuse of young people?

And the principal may be "outraged" - but outraged enough to bring this to the attention of the media? outraged enough to risk his job over it? or just outraged enough so that he can sleep well at night knowing that "I'm not one of those bigots"?

Real progress can only be achieved by real sacrifice. The teachers and principal that support this person need to make a public ruckuss or QUIT. There is no 2 ways about it. you are part of the problem by not actively championing for change.

I guess they like their perks, salaries and cowed students too much to take a leap into the public education system.

John Howard only initiated the Marriage Ban when it was revealed that Canada had legalised & started performing same sex marriage there, and same sex Australian couples married in Canada had lodged claims in Australian courts- which were then immediatly thrown out of court once the rushed-through Ban was put in place thanks to Labor's complicity back when they actually did have a say in the Senate.
So, if the Ban never took place, then those Family Court cases would have continued, and discussions such as what's happening in Israel at the moment would be taking place....

"(Jerusalem) The Israeli Supreme Court has reserved decision in a case involving same-sex Israeli couples who legally wed in Canada but whose marriages are not recognized at home. "Israeli straight couples who marry overseas have their marriages recognized by the Ministry of the Interior regardless of whether they are able or not to marry each other in Israel," Stock said.
Stock argued that the petitioners were seeking no more than those rights granted to all heterosexual married couples. "
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/05/053006israel.htm

(Sydney, Australia) Qantas, Australia's international air carrier, will recognize the same-sex marriages of employees who were wed in areas where gay marriage is legal.
The decision reverses an earlier decision involving an employee who married his same-sex partner in Canada last year. The worker, whose name is being withheld, submitted a copy of his marriage license to the company with a request that his record be updated to reflect he was married and his husband entitled to spousal benefits.
The company in March 2005 refused citing Australian law which bars same-sex marriage.
"We are unable to approve your marital status in eQHR [employee records]) as married because Australian law does not recognize same sex marriages. Pursuant to the terms of the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth), marriage is defined as the union of a man and a woman," the company wrote.
Not satisfied the employee resubmitted his claim and attached a copy of an email response he had solicited from the former Chief Justice of the Family Court.
"While Qantas correctly sets out the present state of Australian law, I agree with your view that there is nothing to stop a private employer permitting your husband to be described as your spouse on its documentation and I can see no legal impediment to it doing so," the email from Alastair Nicholson said.
"Indeed it would in my view be an appropriate step for it to take. It may be that it takes the view that to so describe your husband could constitute an admission by it in the event of your marital status being relevant in proceedings against it, but I do not think that this is so because the description in its records could not operate to change the law."
This week Qantas reversed its position and told the worker that it would accept his claim.
A written statement to the employee from Qantas Executive General Manager People, Kevin Brown says: "Qantas is willing to recognize you...as married and will record your status as married. Qantas will treat you and your family in the same manner as it treats all married staff."
The reversal was hailed by Australian Marriage Equality.
"Qantas is not only a very large employer, with over 30,000 staff, but is also an Australian icon," said Glenn Limond, AME national secretary.
Former Chief Justice Nicholson earlier this month slammed the Australian government for its refusal to recognize same-sex couples, accusing it of looking at society through a rear view mirror.
"I just don't see why same-sex couples should not be able to receive the same freedoms and rights as other people – and I don't see why their children should be discriminated against, either," Nicholson told SBS tv."
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/05/053106qoz.htm

..... Qantas has always been an international gay icon.. so it's great to see this good news hitting the international media. Once private companies start recognising legal marriages performed overseas, surely the Govt will have to cave in?
If Qantas can recognised these legally performed marriages from sister Commonwealth country Canada, then why did Labor effecting provide the ink for the ban by supporting John Howard's homophobia? Labor are a joke- they made a big mistake that's going to haunt them for years.. every August 13th Anniversary Protest... aka Winter Mardi Gras march down Oxford Street.

Legal Equity for interdependent and same-sex unions

Warren Entsch is proposing a private member's bill to extend the principles of anti-discrimination to abolish legal inequities in the treatment of people in interdependent and same-sex unions.

You can sign up for the digital petition in support of the bill by filling in the form on http://www.warrenentsch.com.au/interdependency.htm

I feel we have given the major parties and minor wones enough time to come up to the mark in gay inequality.
We now need to demand i feel the democrats but maybe greens need to put some bills to parliment thus forcing the other parties to confront the issues.
In the meantime say the democrats need to get some backbone and think bigger instead of being a novelty two bit party.In this i mean develop sensible policy which is fair.They need to also put a member up for election in each area of the currant sitting members. The members also have to be reasonable and more people inclusive.The party also needs to listen and stop being a closed shop(the same can be said for the greens)and stand up for what they say there going to-not just be in parliament to collect there superannuation.
If we want change we have to get up off our arses and offer real support both finacially and physically.

Community Action Against Homophobia (CAAH) have marched today & had thier voice heard on the News Ltd media that owns Daily Telegraph, as they held Morris Iemma & the paper to account for their comments this last week.
Good on them... these type of attacks on us need to be dealt a quick response with an iron fist. The council is now even considering lodging a complaint agains the paper with the Australian Press Council.

"NEW South Wales Premier Morris Iemma should apologise for "bigoted" comments he made about a Sydney childcare centre's gay-friendly curriculum, a gay rights group said today.
Members of Community Action Against Homophobia (CAAH) today marched from the offices of The Daily Telegraph in Surry Hills to State Parliament on Macquarie Street.
Simon Margan, from CAAH, called on Mr Iemma to apologise for saying that childcare centres should not be used to teach children about gay and lesbian relationships.
Mr Margan said the books, released in 2002, allowed children from same-sex families to feel accepted. "
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,19349270-2,00.html

Speed of response is what't most important... so the backlash is instant & gets reported (in the general media, where the attacks actually originated). Unlike the Marriage Ban, where through inaction by the time rallys were organised the issued had died in the media & the bill passed without a wimper in the general media.

The deadline to submit your personal stories of government discrimination against you, has now been extended til 16th June.
http://www.hreoc.gov.au/samesex/index.html
http://www.coalitionforequality.org.au/
One of the glaring areas is Superannuation- most of the funds are putting out new booklets this month advising of all the updates such as splitting contributions for spouses/de-facto couples, but they all say that by law it EXCLUDES same-sex de-facto couples. In one booklet I read, it mentions in 7 areas that "same sex couples excluded by law/the act".
But, if that's not enough, you can also talk about this list below of laws that also discriminate against same sex couple in relationships....
A New Tax System (Medicare Levy Surcharge—Fringe Benefits) Act 1999
A New Tax System (Goods & Services Tax) Act 1999
A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005
Aged Care Act 1997
Bankruptcy Act 1966
Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989
Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918
Crimes Act 1914
Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Act 1973
Disability Discrimination Act 1992
Evidence Act 1995
Family Law Act 1975
Health Insurance Act 1973
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986
Income Tax Assessment Act 1997
Judicial and Statutory Officers (Remuneration and Allowances) Act 1984
Life Insurance Act 1995
Marriage Act 1961
Medicare Levy Act 1986
Medicare Surcharge Act 1986
Migration Act 1958
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004
Military Superannuation and Benefits Act 1991
National Health Act 1953
Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Act 1976
Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990
Privacy Act 1988
Private Health Insurance Incentives Act 1998
Retirement Savings Accounts Act 1997
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988
Sex Discrimination Act 1984
Social Security Act 1991
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999
Student Assistance Act 1973
Superannuation Act 1976
Superannuation Contributions Tax (Assessment and Collection) Act 1997
Superannuation (Government Co-Contribution for Low Income Earners) Act 2003
Tax Law Improvement Act 1997
Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986
Witness Protection Act 1994
Workplace Relations Act 1996
Youth Allowance Consolidation Act 2000
http://www.hreoc.gov.au/samesex/index.html
http://www.coalitionforequality.org.au/

Religious organisations have been exempt from the anti-discrimination act since it was first brought in by the Wran government in the 80s. At the time, it was a huge step forward in human rights, but certain religious organisations wield a lot of power in the Labor party, so they managed to get themselves exempted on the human rights front. Don't you just love religious organisations like this?

More progressive elements of the party at the time hoped that the exemptions would be removed, but nothing has happened from the ALP. Greens MP Lee Rhiannon introduced an amendment which will remove the exemptions two or three years ago. Because neither of the big parties supported it, it had to go on a waiting list for debate. In the meantime, Fred Nile's "christian" "democrats" have drummed up a lot of opposition to the Greens' amendments.

The bill finally came up for debate in the legislative council this year. It was strongly supported by the Three Greens MPs and the one Democrat MP. It was opposed by the fred nile mob, as well as a few members of the labor and liberal parties who reckon they can call themselves christians by attacking homosexuality. No one from the major party, not even Penny Sharpe, Labor's recently appointed lesbian member who vowed to work for equality, sopke in support of the bill. The Greens, seeing little chance of winning the debate, have suspended debate.

You know it's wrong to exempt anyone from the anti-discrimination act, sov get behind the bill. Contact Lee Rhiannon
Lee.Rhiannon@parliament.nsw.gov.au
and encourage your friend to do the same.

For those wanting to take part in the mass committment ceremony on Sunday 13th August 2yr Marriage Ban Anniversary... you can also have it formally recorded at the City of Sydney, and be issued with an official certificate recording how long your NSW de-facto relationship has been in place. I have signed up already & keep a copy in my wallet to instantly prove my de-facto relationship status with my gay partner of 6 years.
But... you will need to act quickly, as there is a 30 day waiting period to sign up, so you need to act quickly & drop in your forms to council no later than 13th July. For a copy of the form, download from the City of Sydney Relationship Declaration website:
http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Community/ServicesAndPrograms/RelationshipsDeclarationProgram.asp
Good luck everyone. The more that have thier relationship formally recorded at the mass ceremony the better.... remember 600 people in Melbourne had a ceremony 2 years ago & it was ignored, but with straight media reporting on how many people sign up to our current registers (in Tas & Syd), as mass "sign up" will definately hit the headlines!
It would be good to see the MCC Church perform the ceremony, seeing as they performing the 2DAYFM wedding, and the MCC were instrumental in getting Equal Marriage put in place in Canada. The MCC congregations in Syndey & Parramatta are fantastic & hope they perform the mass ceremony. But remember- you only have till July 13th to download the forms & lodge to have your participation in the mass ceremony formally recognised & notorised certificate issed.

Call me cheap - but I'm really not willing to pay $150 to register my relationship with the city council. I am not surprised that so few people have bothered to register. I would rather wait & do the "real thing" when the time comes rather than sign up with the council on the basis that it is the only thing currently available to us.
So I will be at the rally on August 13 - as my partner & I have done for the past two years - but I will not be joining in the so called "mass group gay wedding". I applaud the City council for offering such a scheme - but it really is no substitute for proper legal recognition as is available in so many countries more inclusive than our own.

Hi David- myself & my partner felt the same way as you... back when the register was only available in South Sydney Council jurisdiction, and before the marriage ban came into place.
Once the marriage ban happened, we then quickly did not want to take anything for granted especially a register that was already available... then when we heard that it was being updated/upgraded by a legal team to tie in exactly with the existing NSW De-facto laws, and was being thrown open to all NSW residents under the new City of Sydney Council - then, being from outside Sydney we then jumped at the chance to sign up.
We had an off-site service, performed by an MCC Church Minister (he also charged $150) who performed the ceremony & issued the certificate on behalf of council... believe me the $150 the council charge was a drop in the ocean compared to some of the other costs of our $3,000 Wedding & Reception- even the cake cost more than $150. But it was one of the most special days of our lives. When equal marriage does become legal here in Australia, as far as we're concerned we've already had our wedding (while we still look young & hot for our photos ) and we will just sign "the other papers" on an anniversary date. We're just ahead of our time.. John Howard can now catch up to us!
But in the meantime, we have our certificates from the council, readily proving our de-facto status (yes, we keep a photocopy in our wallets too), with the certficate giving us the opportunity to sign off on how long we have been together as a legal de-facto couple, not just the date of our ceremony. That was the best part, having that validation of exactly how long we've been together in black & white, with a copy being stored at the council.
So, use what's available, take advantage of what's there, and read the de-facto laws (Property & Relationship Act) & how the ceremony & certificate are fantastic enhancements that compliment the de-facto law. Why would John Howard be so determined to ban the ceremony component of the Canberra Civil Unions, yet these have slipped under the radar- because council was very clever in playing it all very low key (especially when Daily Telegraph ran an article with the headline "Council to Perform Gay Marriage Ceremonies", so they played it very low key the fact that the council's little register was now open to all NSW residents statewide, with the ceremonies being able to be performed anywhere in the state, like ours.

For some really detailed information & case studies on the Sydney Relationship Declaration Program- have a look at Wikipedia... & scroll down for how the certificate is a standardised form that can be readily used for:
- Ammendment of Death Certificate
- Application for Death Certificate
- Immigration
- Public Repute Test (family law)
- Superannuation (interdependant)
- Identification for 100 point Proof of ID at Financial Institutions (treated same as Australian marriage certificate)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Sydney_Relationships_Declaration_(NSW,_Australia)

perhaps someone should approach the canadian embassy,
because its consided canadian ground the marriages could be legalalbeit only in canada ....but atleast its a start.
perhaps for a bit of titivation(pardon the pun)we could have a nude mass wedding this would ensure media attention.

The federal government has decided to override the ACT Civil Union laws.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/gay-rights-law-to-be-overriden/2006/06/06/1149359747326.html

Shame Shame Shame

The U.S. has put thier marriage ban back on the agenda, but once again it will never happen without the support of the Democrats.
But as we know, the Australian Marriage Ban DID get passed thanks to support of Labor Leader & now disgraced bully Mark Latham. Now is Labor's chance to distance themselves from Mark Latham's homophobic gay marriage ban, and fight this civil union override without hesitation (yes, perenial procrastinator Kim Beazley has already said today he "needs to read the bill" before he can comment about this abuse-of-power-override that you'd have to be living under a rock not to know about- especially if you're the leader of a major party).

Howard & Ruddock are a disgrace. Lets hope that the ACT government gets some support from Federal labor - although I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that to happen.
The Herald is running a poll http://www.smh.com.au/polls/politics/2006/06/07/form.html

You can be sure Labor will be doing their own polls and only if it scores votes will they come out against it.

Sadly we have no real opposition in this country, only parties who rely too much on opinion pools instead of forming real policies.

Why are we waiting for "labor" to be the "opposition"?

There are plenty of other smaller parties that will support us. WHy do we bother giving the two major parties our preferred votes?

Why do we still have community leaders and papers like the SSO who put the Labor-"It's a storm in a tea cup - but my premier thinks otherewise"-GLBT pacifier on the front page of their paper when there are other people out there in politics who are actually supporting us and putting themselves on the line.

There are two elections coming up in 2007. Make sure your vote counts because we will just get the same-old-same-old if we keep on voting the same way.

And just how many of those other parties have any sort of power?

The answer is none.

Nor will they have enough to hold balance of power, so really a vote for them is a wasted vote.

Remember how effective the Democrats were when they had the balance of power in the senate? All those backflips by the leaders of that party must have qualified them for the Aussie Gymnastics team.

i agree but any vote cast at the moment is a wasted vote.
we need to somehow force the issue.Perhaps we should demand a minister to deal with these affairs(everyother minority group seems to)

Sadly while religious groups are allowed to make donations to political parties, we will never get a fair hearing. If any party stood up for us, they would lose funding and guess which one speaks loudest to politicians?

It's interesting though that according to stats, less than 4% of australias population are classed as church going!

Australia's unique preferential voting system allows us to GIVE power to smaller parties without wasting our vote. You just vote 1 for the candidate you like the most, and you keep numbering the other candidates in order of preference.

That way, if your first choice doesn't win, they count your second choice. If your 2nd choice doesn't win, they count your 3rd, and so on. If it comes down to, say, Labor or Liberal in the end, you will still get your vote counted, as long as you have numbered one of those parties SOMEWHERE in your preferences. Even if you put one of them last and the other one 2nd last, you vote for 2nd last will count just as much as a #1 vote for the same candidate.

If you number your preferences, it's IMPOSSIBLE to waste your vote. Don't just take my word for it; ask someone you trust who knows the system.

Considering the fact that Labor and Liberal get such high #1 votes despite the fact that most voters think their candidates are scum, I'm pretty sure most voters just don't understand the preferential vote.

Be informed. If you vote for Labor or Liberal ahead of a party with more respect for your rights, you ARE wasting your vote. That last sentence was of course my opinion rather than fact, but I'm right.

Quote of the week from Bob Brown on SBS news tonight:

"So John Howard goes and has dinner with George W Bush and comes back to tell us that gay marriage is dangerous and nuclear waste is safe".

If less than 4% of the population are religeous swinging voters that both Libs & Labor need to woo away from voting for Family First, then why don't the 10% of the population who are Gay & Lesbian start swinging to voting The Greens (who have a clear cut GLBT policy).
At the moment, there is no use as Labor thinks that all Gays & Lesbians will keep voting Labor no matter what (most still are), no matter how much they degrade gays, ban anti-homophobia training in schools, ban recognition of legal same sex marriages performed overseas etc, etc.
STOP automatically voting Labor no matter how hard they kick us & then maybe they might start taking notice of us, not taking us for granted & even start to woo us like they have been wooing the 4% Christian extremists since 2004.
Now THIS is a Policy (10 pages)- http://greens.org.au/policies/careforpeople/lgbti

Last night, at the Pride Week media launch, Tanya Plibersek promised she would fighting the ACT law being overriden. She also claimed it was a ploy to take the focus away from the IR legislation.

I have just sent the letter below to the Prime Minister. If you would like to send your own letter you can do so at http://www.pm.gov.au

Dear Prime Minister,

I am quite upset that the Attorney General has decided to overturn the ACT Civil Union legislation. Especially after your recent comments saying that the states are free to implement their own Civil Union legislation.

I urge you to support The Hon Warren Entsch's forthcoming private members bill to show to us that you are not homophobic.

Larry Singer

Of course it's a ploy, and a big one. But unfortunatley Labor (& Tanya) are the first suckers to get pulled in by it all, starting when they guaranteed the passing of the original marriage ban in 2004 & the unprecendented homophobia it created by turning back the clock & writing extra discrimination into law, all thanks to Labor who should have known better, but wanted a few quick votes for Mark Latham's campaign without thinking about the future. My personal experience with Tanya is that she's not that good with the current 2006 GLBT issues, and you will get better passionate advocacy from Liberal backbenchers such as Warren Entsch's grass roots gay equal rights campaign, incl online petition. http://www.warrenentsch.com.au/interdependency.htm

Quote from Nine MSN - 8.6.2006 -

"A Liberal Senator is considering voting against the federal government's move to overturn the ACT's laws allowing same-sex unions. The Australian Democrats and the Greens have already said they would fight the government's plan to use its powers to quash the civil unions legislation, with Labor likely to follow suit.
ACT Liberal Senator Gary Humphries, a former territory chief minister, said the ACT had every right to press ahead with the laws and he was considering crossing the floor to oppose the Howard government."


Lets all STRONGLY encourage this brave Liberal Senator in his decision regarding crossing the floor.

Emails of encoragement can be sent to

senator.humphries@aph.gov.au

If you dont have time to write an email cut & paste mine -

Dear Senator Humphries,

I write to you in the stongest of possible terms to congratulate you on your decision as stated in the media that suggests you are considering crossing the floor regarding the the federal government's move to overturn the ACT's laws allowing same-sex unions.

I want to encourage you to continue with this action and cross the floor and vote against the federal government colleagues.

I wish you well and admire your decision to vote against what many see as an unjust and discriminating law.

Regards

the probleum with bob brown he comes across as a bitter poofter.He was rude to bush on his last tour,no matter what we personally think their is a protocol.He embarrassed us as a nation. He should get his act together develop real policy-its fine to hug trees but you have to prove value without all the emotional bullshit.He should demand a debate/enquirey on same sex rights. As for nuclear energy a debate is long overdue,hw hypocritical wesell uranium but dont use it ourselves.

Myself & my partner of 8 years will be sending in our application forms to Sydney Council by the July 13th deadline to be able to have our ceremony performed on Sunday 13th August. (although not sure about the cowboy hat.. we were going to wear matching white tux's).

Who do we contact to be part of the mass ceremony?? ... as we found out that only the person performing the ceremony can pick up the two blank certificates to be used in the ceremony. Will it be performed by an MCC Minister like the 2DAYFM wedding?

Yeah all those tree huggers are just don't havea clue do they.

They kept on going on about climate change all those years ago - how wrong they've been! The environment isn't worth caring about! There's nothing wrong with the way the earth is shaping up! I don't care what this irratic weather is supposed to be saying - those greenies are just plain wrong!

Bob Brown does not come across as a "poofter" at all. He seems much more concerned with environmental and social justice for all.

In fact Howard has embarrased us more than that one incident of Bob Brown's. He has embarrassed us to more nations and on more occasions than Bob Brown ever will.

As for the uranium debate, no one has answered my post on the Green wall.

"Same-sex couples now will be able to have civil unions as of June 26, a month earlier than first planned and long before the federal government of Prime Minister John Howard can bring in legislation to void the ACT law.
The ACT government also has appealed to the Governor General to disallow Howard's bill when it passes Parliament.
Federal Attorney-General Philip Ruddock issued a warning Friday that civil unions performed before the legislation is passed will be voided.
That prompted ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell to announce the civil union law will be open to any same-sex couple in the country.
"In the same way that if you have a child born in another state . . . in the same way if you die in another state, your death is registered there. The same thing would happen in relation to civil unions," Corbell said.
Despite Ruddock's threat gay and lesbian couples from across Australia are planning to rush to Canberra on June 26 to tie the knot.
Corbell said that officiants will be licensed by June 26 and predicted there will be an onslaught of couples seeking to enter into civil unions.
The ACT law is based on Britain's civil partnerships and offers all of the rights and responsibilities of marriage without using the term.
Prime Minister Howard's government believes civil unions violate the federal law banning same-sex marriage that his government enacted in 2004."
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/06/060906oz.htm

For details- http://www.chiefminister.act.gov.au/media.asp?media=1386§ion=52&title=Media%20Release&id=52
and application form, go to the site for Dept of Births, Deaths, Marriages & Civil Unions- http://www.rgo.act.gov.au/bdm.shtml