Get on with marriage equality …

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, AFL stars and marriage eqaulity advocates

AFL STARS AND MELBOURNE LORD MAYOR CALL ON THE GOVERNMENT TO GET ON WITH MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Leading national advocacy group for Marriage Equality, The Equality Campaign today joined Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, leaders across the AFL and advocates for marriage equality to call on the Government to deliver marriage equality with a vote in Parliament.

“The message from everyone today was loud and clear to all Federal MP’s, it’s time to do your job and introduce marriage equality in line with the clear wishes and values of the Australian people,” said Tiernan Brady, Executive Director, The Equality Campaign.

“It is easy in the middle of all the politics to forget what or rather who this is about. Marriage equality is about real people, our friends and family, teammates and work colleagues who just want the same dignity as everyone else in their families.

“It is time for our politicians to do their job and pass marriage equality. Our family and friends deserve better. Telling one group of people that their rights cannot be decided by Parliament but instead have to be decided by a separate process sends a clear and terrible message to Australians that LGBTI people have to reach a higher bar for their dignity,” said Tiernan Brady.

“Thanks to the recent senate inquiry, the legislative path to reform is clear and the political will is growing to pass a bill that will allow same-sex couples access to civil marriage, while protecting the religious celebration of marriage,” said Anna Brown, Co-Chair, The Equality Campaign and Director of Legal Advocacy with the Human Rights Law Centre.

“Allowing every Australian couple access to civil marriage equality takes from no one. Parliament can and should be allowed to vote on this straightforward reform based on a fair go for all,” said Anna Brown.

“This can be a unifying moment for Australia where civil marriage equality can be delivered by the Parliament, affording every Australian the same dignity and respect,” Tiernan Brady concluded.

Marriage Equality supporters that came together today include included: Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, CEO of Stand Up Events and Marriage Equality advocate Angie Greene, Tyson Goldsack (Collingwood FC), Leigh Montagna (Saints), Liam Picken & his Wife Annie (Western Bulldogs), Michael Jamison & his brother Will (Carlton), Matt Spangher (Hawthorn, Swans and West Coast), Meg Hutchins (Collingwood FC), Ash Brazil (Collingwood Netballer – Vice Captain), Tom Campbell (Western Bulldogs), Ben Brown & his partner Hester (North Melbourne), Steve Green (Hawthorn) Charles Beaton (Founder, Gay, That’s OK), Sam Wood (Marriage Advocate and star from The Bachelor).
Clint McGilvray