• Christian lobby wrong to link forced adoptions and same-sex marriage
Tasmanian gay rights advocates have hit back at the Australian Christian Lobby for linking the State Government’s apology for forced adoptions to same-sex marriage and parenting.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome said,
“Research shows the children of same-sex couples are as happy and well-adjusted as other children, and do not suffer the same hurt and sense of injustice experienced by many of those people who were forcibly adopted.”
“In the past, some children were forcibly adopted because their family arrangements were thought to be inherently inferior to others, which is exactly the same mentality behind the Christian Lobby’s current resistance to same-sex marriage and parenting.”
“If there is a link between forced adoption and same-sex marriage it’s that the same kind of stereotyping that often caused the former is still blocking the latter.”
Mr Croome said the ACL is right to predict there will be an apology for marriage equality in twenty years but that it will from groups like the ACL to those children whose families it has denied equal respect and recognition.
• Tasmanian Premier in an ironic debacle
The Australian Christian Lobby said it is ironic that Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings has promised a formal apology for forced adoptions in this session of Parliament, given her plan to legalise surrogacy for same-sex couples and singles.
The Premier has failed to recognise that, like forced adoptions, same-sex and single surrogacy will force a child to be severed from biological parents.
ACL’s Tasmanian Director Mark Brown said it’s important to highlight the irony between the proposed surrogacy legislation and forced adoptions.
“Lara Giddings’ pledge to apologise for the injustices and deep hurt caused to mothers and children affected by forced adoptions should be applauded. It is, however, totally inconsistent that in the same session of Parliament, laws may be passed that perpetuate the same injustices for future Tasmanian children,” Mr Brown said.
“Who is going to apologise to these children in 20 years time for them being deprived of, or in some cases even knowing, a mother or father?
“Wherever possible, our government should, in the best interests of children, give them the right to at least begin life with their natural mother and father,” he said.
• AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGE EQUALITY
MEDIA RELEASE
21/08/2012
“BUY TASMANIAN” CALL FROM MAN WHO ONCE LED BOYCOTT AGAINST STATE’S FORMER ANTI-GAY LAWS / MARRIAGE EQUALITY WILL BOOST TASMANIAN BRAND
The man who led the 1994 boycott of Tasmanian products in protest at the state’s former anti-gay laws has urged Australians to “buy Tasmanian” in the wake of Premier Lara Giddings’ announcement that the state will lead the nation on same-sex marriage. (full details here)
In an article published today, the chair of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Peter Urmson, said,
“Tasmanian is now a beacon of hope for other Australians, with progressive people and strong leaders who know what is right.”
“I’m urging as many people as possible to buy King Island cream, Lactos cheese, Cascade beer and other Tasmanian products.”
“It is our way to show how much we support and value how important Tasmania’s brave and principled stand is for the nation as a whole.”
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said Mr Urmson’s stance reflects the high esteem Tasmania will be held in nationally, and the benefits it can expect economically, if it continues to lead the nation on marriage equality.
“Taking the lead on marriage equality provides Tasmania with a unique opportunity to turn our reputation and economy around.”
“Discrimination did immeasurable harm to our brand in the 1990s and in direct proportion equality will boost and prosper our brand now.”
In 1994, following a United Nations decision condemning Tasmania’s former laws which punished homosexuality with a maximum 21 year goal term, Mr Urmson, then a Sydney restauranteur, sparked a nationwide boycott of Tasmania’s prominently-branded food products when he called on supporters of human rights not to buy Tasmanian.
“Before we knew it we had 400 restaurants in the boycott and 10,000 signatures off the streets, and all before Twitter and Facebook.”
“The Tasmanian government always maintained publicly the boycott had no impact, but I understand representatives of major Tasmanian food and beverage companies put immense pressure on the state government to repeal the laws.”
Mr Urmson said the benefits of Tasmania allowing same-sex marriages will extend across Australia.
“It’s not just Tasmanians who will benefit from that state banishing its demons. Same-sex couples and their families right across Australia will benefit from the right to marry in the Apple Isle and from the message this will send to the rest of the nation.”
First published: 2012-08-21 12:00 AM
• HOBART COUNCILS SET TO SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Hobart and Glenorchy City Councils will debate state marriage equality laws this Monday.
Tasmanian gay rights advocates have welcomed motions put to both councils seeking support for proposed laws allowing same-sex marriages in Tasmania.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
“Hobart and Glenorchy city councils both have a stated commitment to removing discrimination and fostering inclusion so I’m hopeful they will endorse a reform that is key to achieving these goals.”
“Both cities also have a lot to gain economically from same-sex couples coming to Tasmania to marry.”
Aldermen Helen Burnett and Jeff Briscoe have proposed a marriage equality motion in Hobart while Alderman Sharon Carnes has proposed a motion in Glenorchy.
Both motions call for the respective councils to write to Upper House members in support for marriage equality.
Earlier this month Tasmanian Premier, Lara Giddings, said Tasmania will lead the way on allowing same-sex marriages by passing its own legislation.
Constitutional experts like Prof George Williams have identified that states like Tasmania are able to legislate for same-sex marriages because the Federal Government has so far refused to.
Economist Prof Lee Badgett from the University of Massachusetts has estimated that couples coming to Tasmania to marry will spend at least $100 million on their weddings.
Motion proposes capital city support for marriage equality legislation
• TASMANIAN GAY AND LESBIAN RIGHTS GROUP
Media Release
Thursday August 23rd 2012
A.C.T. TO FOLLOW TASSIE’S LEAD ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY
CAROL BROWN PRAISED FOR CO-SPONSORSHIP OF FEDERAL MARRIAGE EQUALITY BILL
Tasmanian gay rights advocates have welcomed an ACT Government announcement that it will follow Tasmania’s lead by introducing marriage equality laws.
This afternoon, ACT Attorney-General, Simon Corbell, said his government wants to follow Tasmania’s lead and is in consultation with his Tasmanian counterpart, Brian Wightman.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome said,
“The ACT’s decision vindicates Premier Lara Gidding’s decision to take the lead on this important issue.”
“Together with the majority of Tasmania’s who support marriage equality, I am proud our state is leading a national movement towards reform.”
“It is now clear that if Australia can’t achieve marriage equality at a federal level it will occur at a state and territory level instead.”
The South Australian Premier, Jay Weatherill, has announced that he will support marriage equality laws in his state while the Northern Territory Government has said it will allow a conscience vote on the issue.
Also today, Tasmanian Labor Senator, Carol Brown, has co-sponsored a private members bill for marriage equality, joining Tasmanian federal independent, Andrew Wilkie, who has co-sponsored a similar bill in the Lower House.
“Carol Brown and Andrew Wilkie both deserve praise for ensuring that Tasmanians are at the forefront of the push to achieve marriage equality at a federal level”, Mr Croome said.
For more information about the ACT announcement go to:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-23/act-joins-tas-in-push-for-gay-marriage/4217754
• Nick McKim: Historic Co-Sponsorship of a Bill a Step Closer
MARRIAGE EQUALITY MOMENTUM CONTINUES
Historic Co-Sponsorship of a Bill a Step Closer
Nick McKim MP
Greens Leader
Thursday, 23 August 2012
Greens Leader Nick Mckim MP today welcomed the introduction into the House of Assembly of a motion to allow for Premier Lara Giddings and Mr McKim to co-sponsor a Bill to provide for marriage equality in Tasmania.
“This move maintains the momentum towards marriage equality for Tasmania, and is the first practical step in securing this historic social reform,” Mr McKim said.
“Introducing a mechanism for co-sponsorship of a Bill to provide for marriage equality in Tasmania again demonstrates our commitment to working collaboratively to remove discrimination from our statutes.”
“I thank the Premier for her ongoing commitment to work collaboratively to secure marriage equality, which showcases the best of co-operative politics on this important socially progressive reform.”
Mr McKim also congratulated the Attorney-General for the Australian Capital Territory, Simon Corbell MLA, who today announced that the ACT will follow Tasmania’s lead and investigate introducing Marriage Equality laws.
