The Twin Cynics, Abbott & Gillard, have joined forces and blocked a vote on the Greens same sex marriage bill before this parliament rises at the end of the month.
But we have one last shot at getting some sort of progress on equal marriage before the election.
Green Senator Sarah Hanson Young has introduced a bill to recognise overseas same-sex marriages – but it won’t go anywhere unless Australian Marriage Equality can get thousands of signatures on this petition.
An overseas same-sex marriage used to be out of reach for most Aussies: it meant going to Europe or Canada. Now that it’s next door in New Zealand, it’s much more affordable.
Once Tony Abbott moves into the Lodge and, with the backing of his confessor and mentor, that towering moral authority Cardinal Pell, slams the door on marriage for the next six years, growing numbers of Aussie same-sex couples will hop across to tie the knot. Once equal marriage become law in the UK, dual nationals like me will no doubt take advantage of the opportunity to marry at British consulates and embassies, too.
If we don’t get this change through this parliament in the next few weeks, pretty soon there will be growing number of people who are married in the eyes of the world – and our nearest neighbours – but not in their own home country. A major injustice, and a major embarrassment.
I don’t know about you, but I’m never giving up until LGBTI are treated equally and fairly here at home, as full citizens of this country. Our relationships welcomed, respected and celebrated just like anyone else.
We need to demonstrate our determination by signing, and getting our friends, relatives, families, employers and employees to sign too. So please, sign this petition now, and urge everyone you know to do the same. There’s not much time left.
Author:Doug Pollard
Publication:the stirrer
Date:8 June 2013