This morning while I was sitting at my desk tormenting my new fish in its tank, an email was sent to me which made me smile, and literally bounce around in my chair.
I knew sometime ago that the Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young was going to be introducing a private bill to allow Same Sex marriage, and it seems that Rudd may be taking it some-what seriously.
It has now been released that Kevin Rudd has ordered an inquiry into Same Sex Marriage to follow up on the Private bill that has been introduced.
The bill itself labeled the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009 will, if passed, allow same sex couples equal marriage rights and recognise unions entered into over seas. While the Prime Minister has stood by the decision to dissallow such behaviour since he became the head-guy of Australia politics, his inquiry seems to be a step in the right direction.
There is yet to be a date applied to the finalisation of the inquiry itself, but there is little doubt members of the GLBT+ community will hear more about this as the next few months unfold. The Government is calling for submissions in preparation for a November 26th report.
If passed, this Bill will revolutionise the Australian public. Already, Australia is seen as falling behind the frontier Nations around the world with places such as England, part of Europe, Canada and states of USA already legalising same sex Marriage. Where once our Country was seen as a force moving forward, it is now stuck back in the 50′s where Marriage was deemed to be this sacred, religious, thing. Only now are people finally realising the marriage is simply what you make of it. Opposite Sex marriage has a divorce rate of 50+%, and is no longer the institution that it once was.
Australia has also signed the United Nations statement on recognising human rights for the GLBT+ community, however has not followed through with the necessary legislation to enforce such a thing. The denial of marriage, and a family unit, is a blatantly obvious denial of a right. Furthermore, the International Gay and Lesbian Association is considering placing Australia on the list of countries which persecute GLBT+ people (by denying them their rights). This would be a very huge ‘shame’ mark placed on Australia.
Already Same Sex lobby groups are planning on rallies and events to help promote Same Sex Marriage in hope that an ALP national conference on August 1st will hear their plea.
This inquiry, and the Private Members Bill, is a chance for Australia to make history. While I am still undecided whether I would ever want to marry someone of the same sex, I completely and utterly stand behind supporting Same Sex Marriage for equality reasons. Australia has the chance to move forward into a new era, and we can help it. By attending local protests, signing petitions and helping support the groups which are promoting Same Sex Marriage, you are helping to show the Federal Government that it is a majority that want it, not a small minority.
Source: Here
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Whilst I cant see myself getting married personally (I don’t need a ring and a piece of paper reminding me a I love someone, or a big flashy ceremony proving it) I do have a firm belief that the legal benefits of marriage are something I strongly believe we deserve.
Its sad to see that as a first world nation and a pioneer we are so backwards in our beliefs and still fall to religious dogma.
I wonder if all these so called Christians ever stop and realise that many of the holidays and traditions (including marriage) all started as Pagan rituals?
But I for one will be doing everything I can to see this passed
Kudos in the good workmanship of the article too