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

Become our friend

"like" us

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