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Same sex marriage ACTION

Marriage is a right and a way of life that is currently being denied to some citizens of our country—those in same-sex relationships. If we portray Australia as a fair and equal nation then we have to enforce these values in all aspects of our community. Action comes in many forms.

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Submitted by: Daiana | 3 comments

Here are just a few ways of supporting equality instantly.

  • Write directly to your Federal Member of Parliament—whether Liberal, Labor, Nationals or Independent—to voice your opposition to the legislation banning same-sex marriages. Your local representative’s contact details can be found at http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/. It is also worth writing to one of the senators representing your state or territory. You can find their contact details at http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/senators/index.htm.

  • Talk to your family and friends about the importance of same-sex marriage rights and urge them to write letters to their government representative—the more the better. Or, start a discussion group in your local community or at school. Educating young people will improve the chance for equality for the next generation.

  • Next time you hear someone say same-sex marriages are wrong, speak up no matter where you hear it. If it is on the radio, call in; if it is the TV or the newspaper, write in. The more people that are educated on the matter and the more that they begin to accept homosexuality, the better the chance for a change to the legislation.

  • Write a letter to your local newspaper saying why you support same-sex marriages and why the Australian government’s legislation against it is a bad idea. Once again, the more people that hear about it and understand the issue, the better.

  • Start a petition and send it to your local MP. Petition for the right of all people to get married. Try and gather as many signatures as possible and include people’s ages and the suburb they are from to show that a wide representation of people is advocating for this basic human right.

All of these actions will help to put this issue at the very front of the political agenda and not allow members of Parliament to pass it off without realising its popular support.
Discuss Now 3 comments

imcathy 23-Sep-2007

Dear Bruce,

Thank you for posting their postal addresses! i am getting started with the letters and sending them to my friends as well ;)


cathy

BruceyBoy 11-Dec-2006

Hi there,

As Kevin Rudd's on his ten day Listening Tour, I thought it a good time to post him a letter wishing him luck in the next Federal Election and asking him to update the Marriage Act so that it's available to all Australian Citizens. I've also emailed a shorter letter to Bob Brown of the Greens (a long-time supporter of gay marriage) and posted a letter to John Howard for extra measure.

Below is a copy of my letter and addresses for John Howard and Kevin Rudd. Why don't you print it out (change it if you want) and give it to your mates to sign? I've done this and also supplied a stamped addressed envelope so it makes it pretty easy for my mates to support it. If each of us were to get 10 mates to send in letters thats about 60 letters!

Anyway - good luck. My letter and some addresses below. .. ... Bruce


10th December 2006


Dear Mr / Mrs XXXX


Marriage and its related benefits should be available to all Australian citizens.

The issue is not whether marriage is wanted by all, but whether it should be available to all citizens who feel the need for that form of public affirmation of their relationship.

I know many gay and lesbian couples who are in long term relationships of greater than10 years. In addition to the contributions these people make to their workplace and community, these relationships add to the interests of our society. They support the concept of stable and mutually sustaining relationships. Marriage is available to all citizens of South Africa, Spain, Canada, the Netherlands and Belgium. Will Australia be next to demonstrate a ‘fair go’ to all?

I hope this letter encourages you to update the Marriage Act (1961) so that marriage and its related benefits are available to all Australian citizens.

Good luck in the next Federal Election!

Yours sincerely

Your name

------
The Honourable John Howard MP
Federal Member for Bennelong
PO Box 336
Gladesville NSW 2111

Mr Kevin Rudd
Federal member for Griffith
630 Wynnum Road
Morningside, QLD, 4170

Oliver 01-Nov-2006

Im gay and my partner and i just got 'married'. Fortunately i have dual citizenship with the United Kingdon which meant that we could register our marriage with the British Consulate here in Australia and have it recognised in all the countires that recognise same sex amrriage (which includes places like Canada, Denmark, France, Sweden, Holland and Vermont in the USA)

Not all gay couples want to get married, just as not all straight couples want to get married. But the opportunity should be there. Legislating it does not undermine the 'sacred institution' of marriage, it strengthens it. It ensures that marriage continues to be a relavent institution that is accessible to the entire community and is not elitist. In a world where 50% of marriages end in divorce, surely opening this up to a new group of people will only strengthen the cause.