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VICTORIAN ALP ENDORSES MARRIAGE EQUALITY : GILLARD UNDER INCREASING PRESSURE AS NATIONAL CONFERENCE APPROACHES

A conference of the Victorian ALP today renewed its support for marriage equality, and called on the Gillard government to legalise same sex marriage.

Equal Love convenor Ali Hogg:
“It’s great that the Victorian ALP continues to support equal rights. What really matters now is the ALP’s national conference in December.

The opponents of equality at the conference today- who refused to publicly justify their bigoted stance- have said they are saving their arguments for the national conference. Our message to them is: so are we.

Equal Love is mobilising as many supporters as possible to protest at the ALP conference in Sydney this December.

We are demanding that the ALP listen to the community, including those within their own party, and commit to binding policy in support of full marriage equality at the national conference.

This is the key moment to see the current discriminatory ban abolished. Almost every state ALP branch is behind us, the majority of the Australian public is behind us, and the moral imperative is with us. Our message to Julia Gillard: continue to discriminate at your government’s own peril!”

ALP conference protest details: 12 noon, Saturday 4 December, Hyde Park, Sydney. Marching to the conference at Darling Harbour.

‎Ali, Anthony and Tash from Equal Love tell us why they are heading to Sydney this December for RALLY FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY AT ALP CONFERENCE. So why are you joining the fight for Marriage Equality? Share your video message with us, email them to equalloveaustralia@gmail.com

200 PROTEST GILLARD MELBOURNE VISIT

Nearly 200 protesters gathered outside Melbourne’s Park Hyatt hotel at an Equal Love protest to call for an end to Julia Gillard’s discriminatory continuation on the ban on marriage equality, joining forces with the Refugee Action Collective to also protest against her party’s treatment towards refugees.

Equal Love Convener Ali Hogg states:

“Equal Love were very pleased that so many people braved the rain in Melbourne to give Gillard a piece of our minds. We sent a message loud and clear today that we must see an end to discrimination in Australian law”

Carl Katter, openly gay half brother of homophobic federal MP Bob Katter, came out to throw his support behind the campaign for marriage equality giving a rousing speech:

“We actually have the majority of Australians behind us and that's something that we've really got to press. If the majority of Australians want to see marriage equality, then why isn't it happening?” Katter asked crowds.

Katter concluded his speech encouraging supporters of marriage equality to attend the National protest in Sydney on December 3rd outside the ALP National Conference.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE RALLY DETAILS: 12pm, Saturday December 3 at Hyde Park North (Sydney, NSW)

Carl Katter to Join Equal Love Protest at Gillard Melbourne Visit.

This Wednesday 28th of September Julia Gillard will be attending a lunch at the Park Hyatt . Equal Love and the Refugee Action Collective have joined forces to protest against Julia Gillard’s discriminatory continuation on the ban on marriage equality and her party’s treatment towards refugees.

With the ALP National conference only three months away, Equal Love call on all supporters of marriage equality to join us on this spring morning to maintain the pressure for marriage equality.

Equal Love Convener Ali Hogg states:

“With the recent motion in Tasmania supporting marriage equality, It’s super important to maintain the growing pressure on Gillard and others in the ALP, so we’re inviting all supporters to come out and show their support for equal rights. The majority of Australians support marriage equality and it’s about time the ALP took a stand on this issue and got rid of discrimination.”

Equal Love are very excited to have Carl Katter, brother of renowned homophobe Bob Katter, coming out to throw his support behind the campaign for marriage equality.

“It’s so fantastic that Carl Katter is speaking at the rally. I think he has proven to be an inspiration to many, having the bravery to come out publicly in the face of conservative brother , MP and head of the Australian Party, Bob Katter, who says the idea of same-sex marriage deserved to be ridiculed” Hogg concluded.

In response to speaking at the rally tomorrow Carl Katter states:
“I am the first to acknowledge the hard work the Labour Party has done in regards to Human Rights...but you can't progress half way...we either have equality or we don't. Marriage equality has to happen so that the hard work they have done is not diminished simply because they are pandering to the christian right!” Katter said.

GILLARD RALLY DETAILS: 11:30 am, Wed September 28 at Park Hyatt Hotel (1 Parliament Square), Melbourne.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE RALLY DETAILS: 12pm, Saturday December 3 at Hyde Park North (Sydney, NSW)

HISTORIC MOTION: Tasmanian Parliament First in Australia to vote for Marriage Equality

In a historical vote today we saw the Tasmanian Parliament be the first in Australia to vote for Marriage Equality.

The motion put by the Greens leader Nick McKim and was supported by Premier Lara Giddings and got overwhelming support by politicians with only 2 speaking against the motion in the debate.

The vote was passed 13votes for 9against to support marriage equality and called on the Federal Government to reform the marriage laws.

Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Alex Greenwich, said the vote will send a powerful message to the rest of the nation.

"Today's vote sends a compelling message to the Federal Government that it's time for all Australian couples to have legal equality", Mr Greenwich said.

Ali Hogg Convener of Equal Love Victoria was thrilled by the result:

“This is a historic day for marriage equality! A big congratulations to Tasmania!!”

“The Tasmanian motion is a great start if we want to see full marriage equality in Australia. It is a massive step forward and shows if we keep up the pressure we can actually win this campaign”

“It is vital that we keep up the pressure on the ALP so hopefully their members follow suit with their Tasmanian colleagues and support marriage equality at their National Conference in December” Ms Hogg concluded.


Equal Love invite all supporters of marriage equality across Australia to head to Sydney to protest outside the ALP National Conference this December.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE RALLY DETAILS: 12pm, Saturday December 3 at Hyde Park North (Sydney, NSW)

Equal Love Promo Video for Rally at the ALP National Conference in Sydney

Equal Love groups all around the country will converge in Sydney on December 3rd 2011 and combine forces to demand Marriage Equality. Marching to the National ALP Conference where the matter of Same Sex Marriage will be debated. With unquestionable national support for reform to allow a fairer more equal marriage act it is vital that the ALP walk out of the conference with an amended Marriage Act Policy. To be EQUAL you must be EQUAL. Love is Love. Join supporters from around the country in Hyde Park on December 3rd for the countries biggest rally for Marriage Equality.....to date.

Thousands March for Marriage Equality in Melbourne

On Saturday August 13, Melbourne saw thousands attend a rally marking 7 years since the marriage act was changed to say that marriage is strictly an institution between a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others.
Many who are outraged at the ALP governments continuation of the discriminatory marriage act came out on the streets to show their anger. Over 40 couples participated in an 'illegal' wedding.
Equal Love campaigners made a push from the front for rally goers to join equal rights activists from around Australia to protest outside the ALP national conference in Sydney on December 3rd.
Equal Love campaigner Ali Hogg was pleased with how the rally went:
"It's exciting to see that 7 years on we still see thousands still prepared to come out and keep up the fight. It's so important that we keep up this level of enthusiasm and passion if we want to see marriage equality granted in Australia."
Hogg continues:
"All eyes are on the ALP national conference on December 3rd. We encourage others to do what they can to attend the protest in Sydney to send a message to Gillard and others in the ALP that they are out of step on this issue and mus grant marriage equality now. We won't accept further stalling on this issue!"

Facebook group for Victorians going to ALP conference

You van view footage of the speeches and the march below

Photo: C Oakley

Wedding March Rehearsal

Equal Love volunteers and friends braved the rain and cold in Melbourne in a mid week wedding rehearsal march for some last minute attention grabbing to help promote the Mass Illegal Wedding and Equal Love rally on Saturday August 13 marking 7 years since the Howard government changed the marriage act to make it unequal.

Rally Details:

1pm, August 13

State Library of Victoria

Equal love- No Joking matter!

Equal Love is excited to announce the entertainment at this Saturday's Rally and Mass Illegal wedding marking the 7th anniversary since the Howard Government changed the marriage act to discriminate against many LGBTI Australians.

The Rally will be hosted by Long time supporter of the LGBTI community, comedian and radio personality Tracy Bartram, who is very excited about hosting the rally after being married three times, having had two husbands and thinks it's about time others had a turn!

And staying with the theme of comedy and radio we also have to entertain us, the young up and coming Nath Valvo who people may have heard on JOY 94.9 or at one of his shows around Melbourne during the comedy festival or on Scoop TV. Below is his recent plug for the upcoming rally.

And last but not least we will have a performance by drag acts Polly Filla and Bumpa Love who are a part of the Sparkletts. These two performers have entertained our rallying crowds in previous years and never fail to provide us with entertainment with a strong message for the crowds.

So if you like your political message of fighting for marriage equality along with a little bit of entertainment then you don't want to miss the August 13 rally and mass illegal wedding at 1pm this Saturday on the lawns of the State Library of Victoria.

Rally Details: August 13, 1pm, State Library of Victoria.

Media Contacts:

Louise: 0420 819419

Anthony: 0414 877399

MARRIAGE ACTIVISTS TO HOLD WEDDING REHEARSAL THREE DAYS BEFORE MASS ILLEGAL VOWS IN MELBOURNE

Photo: Alison Bennett

1pm,
 Wed
10 
Aug ,
corner 
of 
Bourke 
and 
Elizabeth
 Sts,
marching
 to 
registry

Equal
 Love 
will 
hold 
a 
mock 
wedding 
rehearsal 
on Wednesday 
in 
the Melbourne 
CBD 
to 
prepare 
for
 the r
major
 rally
 on
 the 
weekend.
The 
rehearsal
 aims 
to
 draw
 attention
 to
 ongoing
 discrimination
against
 same
-sex
 couples
 and 
to 
add
 to
 the
growing
 pressure
 the 
ALP 
is 
under
 to 
change
 their 
policy
 on
 marriage
rights.

Convenor
Ali
Hogg:

“This 
August
 marks
 seven 
years 
that
LGBTI
 people
 have 
been 
suffering 
under
this
 discriminatory 
ban.
 Our
 mass illegal 
wedding, and
 the 
rehearsal,
 is
 about
showing
 the
 government 
that 
we will 
not
 be 
silenced,
 and that
 love 
cannot 
be 
outlawed.
 With
 polls
 showing 
that
 over 
65 
per
cent
 of 
the 
public are 
behind
 us,
 we 
are
 confident 
there 
will 
be 
no 
objections
 to 
the 
nuptials.” Participants
 will
 march
 from 
the
 CBD 
to
the
 registry
 office 
in 
full
 wedding 
dress.

For
more
information,
contact:

Louise
O’Shea
0420819419

Anthony
Wallace
041487739

Equal Love song by Mikki Ross.

Learn it because we'll be playing it at the August 13 rally!

EQUAL LOVE by MIKKI ROSS remix by Mikki Ross

Open Letter to ALP National Conference Delegates Endorsed by Equal Love and Australian Marriage Equality

If you would like your organisation to be added to the following open letter please email equalloveaustralia@gmail.com with your organisation's name and symbol.
This will be presented to ALP National Conference Delegates.

OPEN LETTER TO ALP NATIONAL CONFERENCE DELEGATES

Dear delegates,

The amendment of the Marriage Act by the Howard government in 2004, which restricted marriage rights to heterosexual couples to the exclusion of all others, represented the most serious attack on LGBTI rights in decades.

In one stroke, it relegated every non-heterosexual relationship to second-class status, and provided validation for homophobic prejudice in all its forms. To all those suffering abuse, marginalization or rejection because of their sexuality, it sent a clear message that the Australian government sides with discrimination and hate. And it epitomized the divisive, wedge style politics that had characterized the Howard era, and that voters rightly sought an alternative to in 2007.

While the Howard years are now a distant memory, it is to the everlasting shame of the subsequent government that homophobic discrimination is not. It is time for full equality before the law for LGBTI people to become a reality.

Equality means full equality. The 2011 ALP conference must commit to supporting full marriage rights for all couples. Civil unions, or any other scheme which creates a special or second-class category for non-heterosexual couples, should be vehemently rejected. Such a scheme will reinforce and perpetuate discrimination, by maintaining the exclusion of LGBTI people from the most common form of relationship recognition in society today. Until full marriage rights are granted, there cannot be genuine equality.

The ALP national conference presents an important opportunity for the party to commit to upholding equal rights for all Australians. We therefore urge delegates to reject any half-measures and to support full marriage equality for LGBTI people this December.

Our next rally Details: Rally and Mass Illegal Wedding Saturday 13 August, 1pm State Library of Victoria, City.

Want to know more? Click on the following facebook links!

August 13 Facebook Event

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Equal Love is thrilled to announce the host of Melbourne’s upcoming Equal Love Rally and Mass Illegal Wedding:Tracy Bartram!

In lobbying for equal marriage rights, entertainer Tracy Bartram will join Victoria’s Equal Love protest rally on August 13, marking the seventh anniversary since the Howard Government amended Australia’s marriage laws discriminating against LGBTI people.

The comedian says it’s about time Australia followed other countries and jurisdictions in ending discriminatory marriage laws.
“We live in the greatest country in the world. Our lifestyle is second to none. Yet we are far behind other countries like Canada, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, and Sweden when it comes to recognising that same-sex couples fall in love and want to commit to each other,” Bartram said.
Equal Love was thrilled when Bartram agreed to speak at the upcoming rally.
“What better person to host the event than a strong, opinionated woman such as Tracy Bartram who really knows how to stick it to the man (so to speak),” Melbourne Equal Love Convenor Ali Hogg said.
Hogg said the August rally is particularly significant in terms of preceding the national ALP conference to be held later this year.
“In the lead up to the ALP National conference where marriage equality will be debated, we want to get the message out loud and clear at our upcoming protest that homophobia and discrimination is not welcome in Australia and therefore the laws in place that perpetuate this homophobia should be gotten rid of. I think Tracywill do a great job at helping us to get this message out!” Hogg said.
Bartram said it was time politicians cast aside old prejudices in favour of public rallying around the issue:
“Why are we allowing our elected officials to ignore the huge lobbying in support of this issue? Personally, I've had two husbands and three marriages, and marriage for me has lost its lustre. But I don't see why the GLBTI community should be excluded from marrying just because it's 'always been that way'” she said, adding, “And let’s face it – nobody does ‘wedding’ better than a gay or lesbian couple!”
Bartram said she was proud to join the rally and declare her support for the issue.
“We could all learn a little … a little more tolerance, a little more acceptance, and a little more tub-thumping to show our government that this issue will not go away.
“I am sad that this is even an issue in 2011. I'm very much looking forward to the rally on August 13th,” Bartram said.

Victorian Rally Details: Rally and Mass Illegal Wedding Saturday 13 August, 1pm State Library of Victoria, City.

For Comment: Ali Hogg 0403 019 430

Tracy Bartram: www.tracybartram.com.au

Equal Love congratulates New York’s newly weds

This week thousands of same-sex couples in New York will be exchanging wedding vows after the state this month legislated to end discrimination. Many have waited and fought for decades for this right!

Ali Hogg, Convenor of Equal Love Melbourne said today:

“I think it’s important to celebrate alongside the New York newly weds who have waited so long for this basic right.

“In Australia we can’t wait any longer. New York is an inspiration to keep up the campaign for equal rights. We have come so far and the pressure is mounting. The ALP will debate marriage equality at their national conference in December. We need thousands on the streets to show we mean business.

“August 13 marks the seventh year of the homophobic and discriminatory ban on marriage equality. We will not let that date pass in silence.”
Equal Love encourages all supporters of equal rights to join us at the next Melbourne rally.

Rally and Mass Illegal Wedding
Saturday 13 August, 1pm State Library of Victoria.

Enquiries:
Ali Hogg
Convenor, Equal Love Melbourne
0403 019 430

Equal Love welcomes Australian Marriage Equality poll showing 3 in 4 people think marriage equality inevitable in Australia.

Equal Love convenor Ali Hogg commented:

“I am very pleased with these results and I think it shows that the majority of Australian’s are well ahead of politicians on this issue. Three out of four people rightly expect equality to be enshrined in Australian law – why doesn’t Gillard? It’s time the government took a lead from the people.

But she went on to point out that expectations alone will not ensure equal rights:

“Whilst it’s great that majority of Australians not only support marriage equality but expect it, we cannot sit back and rely on the politicians to change the Marriage Act without each and every one of us doing what we can to make sure it happens. Marriage supporters need to keep speaking out and rallying until the marriage ban is repealed, and state sanctioned discrimination abolished. “

August 2011 marks seven years since the Government changed the marriage act to restrict marriage to heterosexual couples to the exclusion of all others. Across Australia there will be rallies and illegal weddings to mark this shameful milestone, and to demand equal rights.

The Melbourne rally will be at 1pm on Saturday 13 August 13 at the State Library, and will conclude with a mass illegal wedding.

Supporters of marriage equality gay and straight are encouraged to attend and show their support.

Hogg continued:

“It’s important to come out to take a stand now more than ever in order to really put the pressure on the ALP to change the marriage act. We will be calling on the ALP to change their policy to be in full support of marriage equality at their conference this December. We will accept no compromise, no second class substitute for marriage and no wishy washy talk of a conscience vote. The ALP needs to commit to supporting full equal rights, or prepare to feel the anger of the three in four who are with us in this fight.”

Equal marriage supporters will be rallying outside the ALP national conference this December to show their support for a change in policy and full equality.

For more information contact:
Ali Hogg Equal Love convener 0403 019 430