Same-Sex Marriage
The ACT Labor Party conference today debated a motion (moved by Natasha Shahidullah and Andrew Barr) that advocated a change to include same-sex couples in the definition of marriage. I spoke in favour of the change.
Same-Sex Marriage
ALP ACT Conference, 30 July 2011Few moments in life are so powerful, so emotionally charged, that they transcend the individual and connect us all.
- The birth of a child;
- Saying and being told I love you;
- And for those of us who are married – our wedding day.
A day so special that we name anniversaries silver, gold and diamond.
Marriage should be recognised and registered by law, regardless of the sexual orientation, or gender of the couple wanting to be married.
Same sex marriage is not about gay versus straight, conservative versus progressive, left versus right.
It is about social justice, equality for individuals, the recognition and protection of fundamental political and civil rights.
It is a Labor issue.
Our values make our party great. These have guided us for 120 years and should guide us on this issue.
We are a party of leadership. It is we who place a premium on treating people with dignity, decency, without discrimination.
In our heartland, our members, our voters watch Ellen DeGeneres and Erik van der Woodsen, Matt Lucas and John Barrowman, Jodie Foster and Stephen Fry; we listen to Elton John and KD Lang. Equality for same-sex couples is not unfamiliar to everyday Australians.
I understand and respect those who argue that marriage should remain a union between a man and a women. I have met with them in my electorate office and at my mobile offices. I have heard their views and their stories. They say that marriage is about the protection of the reproductive relationship and, as much as possible, giving children the opportunity to be reared by their biological parents within their natural family.
As a father of two, I absolutely understand the devotion to providing a caring, nurturing, loving and safe environment for children. But what I cannot understand is how my sexuality in some way gives me the right to marry because I am a better father than same sex parents.
The ACT has already led the way in recognising same-sex relationships.
Motions for marriage equality have already been passed at the Tasmanian, Victoria, Northern Territory, South Australian, Queensland and Western Australian conferences.
I am hoping we can add the ACT to that list.
A young woman named Natasha recently wrote to me:
‘I have wonderful dreams for my friends. I hope they will experience a loving life. But most of all I want them to have the freedom to pursue their own happiness. Marriage equality is a part of this’.
I have been told countless stories of the impact that discrimination has had on same-sex couples. These stories shock and appal me.
Same-sex couples ask for our support in having their love treated equally. I joined the Labor Party because I believe in equality. I am proud to support this motion.
I’m particularly grateful to Damien Hickman for his work on the speech.
Andrew,
So I may assume that you will represent the above views to the parliament and to the ALP national conference?
Thanks,
John
Thank-you so much for this inspiring speech. As a teenager struggling to find acceptance for my sexuality you give me hope that one day there will be no reason to fear. You give me hope that when I do meet the girl of my dreams I can ask for her hand in marriage. Growing up is hard enough and when you add hatred thrown towards you because you happen to love someone of the same sex it’s hard to find the strength to keep going. But I continue to find hope each day as more and more people step forward and are open with their support of same-sex couples and marriage. Thank-you once more I am very proud to have you as my local MP.
I am not fully informed on this issue and seek more to try and understand.
What I am keen to establish is what is the benefit of granting a change to allow same sex marriage?
Your information above does not explain this. The issue is not about phobias or hatred but these are common themes and comments which only serve to confuse or cloud this discussion. Same sex couples have the safety or recognition of partnership under common law, so what is this extra want about?
Edward,
Firstly kudos for asking for information before making a rash judgement.
As someone that this proposal affects, positively, I would say the biggest item to address is sheer discrimination. I might not WANT to get married presently but I should make that decision and therefore have the legal right to exercise it.
Additionally, the recognition by federal law of a partnership such as a marriage is highly important by way of example I offer this scenario. If I was in a SS relationship and my partner was a non citizen, under common law (de facto) I have no ability as a de facto to request him to enter Australia under a spousal visa. A marriage would change that. This right is afforded to me should I have a heterosexual relationship.
They are just a fraction of the issues I face, for more information feel free to read the FAQ section of Marriage Equalities website (http://www.australianmarriageequality.com/wp/faqs/) I am not affiliated, just a succinct statement.
Wade
Great. Labor will assist in establishing “caring, nurturing, loving” as the fundamental reason for relationships and their public recognition. An emphasis on “caring, nurturing, loving’ could spillover into all relationships and make them stronger.
I totally support the concept of marriage between same sex/gender couples. However I define myself I believe I ought to be able to choose whether or not I marry – the word choose is the strongest operative here…May the labor party support this, as do you Andrew Leigh. It will be great to join the rest of Australia on this issue rather than stand out as ACT = negatively driven judges of others and their choices.
My wife and I travelled to Uluru a few years ago. We were keen to climb the rock. When we got there we were told by the local Aborigines that Uluru was sacred to them. They spoke about how climbing the rock desecrated that sacredness. They even had a name for people that sought to climb the rock; just because it was there. We chose to respect the sacredness that they applied to the rock – even though we were not aboriginal and did not apply the same sacredness to Uluru as they did; we did not climb the rock. My wife and I are Christian. Marriage to us is sacred. Marriage is between a man and a woman.