Marriage equality advocates have assured supporters of the issue that same-sex couples will likely be able to marry in Australia under a state or territory law in 2013.

The claim comes as same-sex couples began to marry in the US state of Maine last night, and as couples prepare to marry in another US state, Maryland, from January 1.

Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Rodney Croome, said,

“I want to reassure those Australians who are increasing frustrated by federal parliament’s failure to enact marriage equality, that it is almost inevitable same-sex couples will be able to marry somewhere in Australia in 2013.”

“State same-sex marriage laws are on the table in the ACT, Tasmania, South Australia, NSW, WA and Victoria and more than likely they will pass in at least one of those jurisdictions.”

“In every other federal nation where marriage equality has moved forward, including Canada, the US, Argentina, Mexico and Brazil, reform began at a state level, and I don’t see why Australia should be the exception.”

At the recent US election the people of three states voted to allow same-sex couples to marry bringing the total of US states to nine.

In mid-December same-sex marriages were allowed in Brazil’s Sao Paolo state bringing to four the number of Brazilian states allowing such marriages.

Also in December, marriage equality passed the Uruguayan lower house and is expected to pass the upper house soon.

In 2013 Britain and New Zealand are expected to join the eleven other countries that allow same-sex couples to marry.

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.