Gay Marriage: Equality for all

Rochelle Gore, Offset Public Relations Manager, Friday 26 April 2013.

Historically, gay men and women have never been treated the same as everyone else. There has been a divide between those who are gay, and those who are not for many years. Though they can pay taxes until their 65, and own a home or two, they are alienated within society when their sexual orientation is made public. Gay men and women are able to meet someone and fall in love, but they are unable to marry this person, and spend the rest of their life as a married couple. This is where the biggest divide is shown. The leaders of this country have decided that their love is not pure enough to allow them to marry in Australia.

The Institution of Marriage?

Many argue that the institution of marriage will be diminished or cheapened if same-sex marriage is allowed in Australia. In a country that has a 50% divorce rate, straight people are doing a great job of that already. And in a country where over 60% of the population is in favour of gay marriage, in the year 2013, gay men and women are still not allowed to marry in Australia.

The first gay marriage was recorded between two in Spain in 1601, and now, nearly 500 years later, many countries still ban gay marriage. In today’s society, there is politicians, musicians, actors and television personalities who are openly gay. Many of these men and women have been in relationships for over 10 years, far exceeding many heterosexual relationships. Being openly gay is no longer considered taboo. The distorted view of it being wrong needs to change, as society changes.

 

Gay marriage rally in San Francisco. Source

Same-sex marriage around the world

The changing society which has seen 18 countries worldwide acknowledge the rights of same-sex couples. In 2001, the Netherlands became the first nation in the world to allow same-sex marriage. This was followed soon after by Belgium (2003), Spain (2005), Canada (2006), Norway (2009), Sweden (2009), Portugal (2010), Iceland (2010), Argentina (2010), Denmark (2012) and France (2013). As of 2010, 250 million people worldwide have entered into a same-sex marriage. 18 countries worldwide, and Australia is not one of them.


Last week a bill was passed in New Zealand to allow the recognition of same-sex marriages. After six months of consideration and over 21,500 public submissions, New Zealand officially recognised the marriage rights of gay men and women. The bill was passed with a convincing 77 to 44, brought about by Labour MP Louisa Wall. After the members voted, the New Zealand parliament and the public gallery broke into applause and song New Zealand has finally recognised the rights of those who are just like us.

Australia and same-sex marriage

The Greens party in Australia have recently announced that they plan to introduce legislation when parliament resumes in May. This legislation would recognise same-sex marriage. As most countries in the world do not recognise same-sex marriage, those who marry in countries such as the Netherlands, Canada, or Spain, must leave their marriage at the customs door. It is the simple line between countries that dictates if they are considered a married couple. Previous bills in Australia calling to recognise same-sex marriage have failed with votes counting 98-42. This shows that though the majority of the public want legal recognition of same-sex marriage, the leaders of this country are not listening.
Despite New Zealand’s recognition of same-sex marriage, the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard states she won’t be moved from her stance against gay marriage. Gillard has said that it is because of her ‘conservative upbringing’ that she is steadfastly against the legalisation of same-sex marriage. Though she is an atheist living in a de facto relationship with a man, Gillard claims to be a traditionalist with a conservative upbringing. Read the full article here.

Gay marriage around the world. Source.

 

It is this conservative upbringing that is supposedly withholding the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Australia. Countries who have legalised same-sex marriage, including France and New Zealand, have leaders who have either not stated their religious beliefs, or have announced that they are agnostic. Some leaders have always stated that they believe in a higher power. These leaders, such as French President Francois Hollande, have changed their views on gay marriage as society has changed. This change of opinion and legislation shows that it is necessary to not have a stagnant opinion on any matter. It is this stance that the leaders of Australia should take note of.

 

12 years after the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage, Australia is still without any recognition of gay marriage. 18 countries worldwide have passed legislation allowing gay marriage, and Australia is not one of them. Those who marry overseas are required to leave their marriage at the customs gate. This is ludicrous and out-dated. With over 60% of the Australian population in favour of same-sex marriage, our current politicians, including Tony Abbott and Prime Minister Julia Gillard, are facing renewed criticism for their stalling attempts to allow same-sex marriage within Australia. As more countries legalise gay marriage, the leaders of this country will have mounting pressure to pass the bill to allow same-sex marriage. Whether it is through this parliament, the one after, or the one after, it is long since due that gay men and women have the same legal marriage rights as everyone else in Australia.