Marriage equality advocates have praised leading ALP Right member and Special Minister of State, Gary Gray AO MP, for declaring that the reform “will improve the lives of people and the lives of future generations”, and for highlighting the central role of mental health in the marriage debate. (Report here). The news comes as doctors and psychologists prepare to meet with federal MPs next week to present the evidence confirming the link between marriage equality and mental health.
Alex Greenwich, national convener of Australian Marriage Equality, said:
“Mr Gray’s support highlights the central role of mental health arguments in changing hearts and minds on marriage equality. This issue ultimately is about people not politics.”
“Research shows that denying marriage to same-sex couples only serves to increase stigma and a sense of social exclusion among gay and lesbian people, which has a direct negative impact on mental health.”
Two groups – Doctors for Marriage Equality, and Psychologists for Marriage Equality – are preparing to meet federal MPs and Senators next week to present research on the mental health impact of the same-sex marriage ban. Doctors for Marriage Equality launched their website yesterday, and already has the backing of over 1,000 Australian doctors and medical students.
A widely-cited 2010 study in the American Journal of Public Health found that US states that passed bans on same-sex marriage saw an immediate negative effect on the mental health of gay and lesbian people in those states, with significant increases in anxiety disorders, depression and drug use. (Link here)
The Australian Psychological Society has endorsed a resolution of the American Psychological Association calling for marriage equality on mental health grounds. (Link here)
As of today, 13 of the 22 Federal Cabinet members have now declared support for marriage equality:
“It’s critical for the success of reform that our nation’s most senior politicians take a lead on this issue, particularly when the Prime Minister continues to inexplicably oppose it.”
“I am hopeful we will see more support for marriage equality within Cabinet because there is still a number of ministers undecided.” Mr Greenwich said.
The 13 Cabinet members who support reform Chris Evans, Simon Crean, Greg Combet, Stephen Smith, Anthony Albanese, Nicola Roxon, Jenny Macklin, Penny Wong, Peter Garrett, Tanya Plibersek, Mark Butler, Gary Gray and Brendan O’Connor.
For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.