Census shows gay Aussies increasingly integrated / Demographic trends are an argument for marriage equality
“With same-sex couples increasingly integrated into Australian society, our exclusion from marriage looks more and more outdated.” – Alex Greenwich
According to marriage equality advocates, Census data about same-sex couples released today show that such couples are increasingly integrated into mainstream Australian life making the exclusion of gays and lesbians from marriage look increasingly outdated.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Alex Greenwich said:
“The number of self-reporting same-sex couples is increasing as more couples feel able to be open about their relationship.”
“In particular, increased social tolerance means we can be found in growing numbers across regional and rural Australia with relatively high numbers in places like northern NSW, central Victoria and regional Queensland.”
“We are also participating more in community and family life with an increase in the percentage of same-sex couples raising children (for females it has gone up to a third), and a growing proportion of us reporting that we are people of faith.”
“The increase in children being raised by same-sex parents is a reminder of the need for marriage equality because these children are currently deprived of the security and stability having married parents can bring.”
“All these demographic changes are arguments for marriage equality because they show that being in a same-sex relationship is increasingly unremarkable and not a significant marker of difference.”
“With same-sex couples increasingly integrated into Australian society, our exclusion from marriage looks more and more outdated.”
For the data released today go to:
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs%40.nsf/Lookup/2071.0main+features852012-2013
For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.