Maybe that’s how Frank Sinatra would have sung his most famous song ‘New York, New York’. The city that never sleeps has proven it’s the best place for the statue of freedom. After years of lobbying and campaigning same-sex couples have made it clear, it’s about love, equality and freedom for them and they’ve eventually gained legal rights for marriage. And yes, legal rights to marry instead of civil unions or domestic partnerships. Why construct something dividing for society rather than to make marriage work for everyone? New Yorkers, after decade of battle are opening Marriage for all members of society.
The Australian Marriage Act from 1961 defines marriage as ‘…the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.’ Pitifully same-sex marriages entered into under the laws of another country are also not recognised in Australia. Australia has locked the doors for marriage and happiness for the gay community and seems not to know where it has hidden the keys.
Looking back into history, Denmark in 1989 was the first country in the world to successfully pass a same-sex union bill. From there many countries in Europe started to legally accept same-sex relationships as well countries all over the world. For Australian LGBT-people fight for equal rights turned into fright under Howard’s prime ministership starting from 1996 until 2007. During the same period 28 countries around the world were changing their legislations in favor of same-sex relationship recognition while Australia proved to be country going backwards. Even though the government has changed since then, acceptance towards same-sex couples has less improved. The most crucial element for LGBT movement, the equal right to get married, is at a standstill.
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