Gay and straight Australians join to declare “WE’RE WAITING” for Marriage Equality in tonight’s Mardi Gras parade.
Marriage equality advocates have called on other states to follow NSW’s lead by introducing laws to remove the requirement for transgender partners to divorce before their gender is legally recognised.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said,
“These laws show nothing but contempt for the institution of marriage and the solemn vows marriage partners take.”
“We call on legislators in other states to follow NSW’s lead and protect the marriages of transgender Australians.”
NSW independent Alex Greenwich has joined with the Greens’ Mehreen Faruqi to introduce legislation to remove the legal requirement that transgender married partners must divorce before the state will recognise their gender re-assignment.
The reform has also been raised in the Tasmanian election campaign where the Green and Labor Party’s have both given it in-principle support.
The NSW initiative comes as Sydney gears up for tonight’s Mardi Gras parade.
Mr Croome said the Australian Marriage Equality contingent will feature gay and straight Australians from all over the nation marching together.
“Our theme is that as a nation ‘We’re Waiting’ for marriage equality and while we wait we will work together to achieve reform.”
Also marching with AME will be Louisa Wall, the New Zealand MP who introduced the legislation that achieved marriage equality in New Zealand, and several Australian couples married under her law.
Ms Wall has released a video in which she calls on Tony Abbott to allow a free vote on marriage equality.
In the video she says her message to Mr Abbott is “don’t be afraid of democracy”.
For a news report on the NSW initiative, click here. For a summary of LGBTI issues in the Tasmanian election, click here. To view Ms Wall’s video, click here.
Ms Wall is in Sydney and available for interviews. Her number is +64 21227 5043
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
Author: Rodney Croome
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 1 March 2014