Almost a third of same-sex marriages in New Zealand are Australian citizens.
On the first anniversary of New Zealand passing marriage equality laws the need for marriage equality in Australia is highlighted by the large number of Australian citizens celebrating their vows across the ditch.
From 19 August 2013, when the law became operational, to 31 March 2014 there was a total of 385 female couples and 285 male couples. It was reported in January that at the time about a third of these marriages were Australians.
Deputy Director of Australian Marriage Equality, Ivan Hinton-Teoh, said,
“While thousands of Australian families continue to hold hope that marriage equality will be achieved in Australia soon many others are not waiting. With New Zealand willing to provide the dignity of equality many couples are taking their family and friends the short flight over the Tasman”.
Mandy and Katrina Crocker travelled from their home in Wagga Wagga, NSW to Canberra to celebrate their vows in December last year.
“After the High Court voided our marriage we decided that celebrating our relationship in a country that respects us as equals was essential. We’re not waiting for Australia to catch up and we’ve already booked our flights to New Zealand,” Mandy said.
Hinton-Teoh said,
“While New Zealand provides for freedom and dignity for all people these marriages are still not recognised in Australia. We encourage federal politicians to support Senator Sarah Hanson Young’s bill to recognise all overseas marriages.”
Several countries that have not achieved marriage equality nonetheless recognise international same sex marriages including Japan, Slovenia, Israel and, most recently, Italy.
For more information contact Ivan Hinton-Teoh on 0419 124 826 or Mandy Crocker on 0412 640 863
Author: Ivan Ivan Hinton-Teoh
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 17 April 2014