AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Media Release, 27th of January 2011
Jimmy Barnes and Guy Pearce join calls from marriage equality
Marriage Equality campaigners have welcomed the support of two more well known Australians, performer Jimmy Barnes and Emmy award winning actor Guy Pearce.
In a statement issued to support the campaign of Australian Marriage Equality, Jimmy Barnes said:
“Aussies always look back with pride when we end discrimination affecting our fellow Aussies. Supporting marriage equality is a reform that will do our country proud. It’s time Canberra caught up with the rest of the country and ended this crazy ban that stops some of the most loving and committed couples from getting hitched”.
Reflecting on how the acceptance of same-sex couples has grown since since he starred in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Guy Pearce said:
“Over the past decade we have seen an exponential growth in the support and acceptance of the gay and lesbian community in Australia. This is reflective of our history of overcoming past prejudices and embracing equality. It’s now time for marriage equality. It makes me sad and frustrated that we see marriage as the right of some and not others. Nothing will happen to the strength or sanctity of our own marriages if we let same sex couples marry, it will only enhance who we are as people to know we’re not being so discriminatory. I fully support and encourage marriage equality for same sex couples.”
Australian Marriage Equality National Convener Alex Greenwich said the support of Mr Barnes and Mr Pearce reflects the desire of the Australian community for all Australians to be treated equally.
“Jimmy Barnes and Guy Pearce are highly-repsected Australians who are in touch with our core values as a nation.”
“Jimmy Barnes performs to packed stadiums across Australia and knows that this is a reform that will make Australians like him proud.”
“Guy Pearce, like many Australians, knows that allowing same-sex couples to share in the meaning of marriage will not diminish the institution but strengthen it.”
Mr Greenwich said he will be working with both men to make submissions to the upcoming Senate inquiry into to same-sex marriage
Barnes and Pearce join a number of other highly-respected Australians who have endorsed marriage equality in recent weeks including Olivia Newton-John, Hugh Jackman, David Stratton, Margaret Pomeranz, Stephan Elliot, and Wallaby player David Pocock.
And
PRESS RELEASE
RAINBOWS OVER MARGARET COURT ARENA
27/01/2012
As we head into the final weekend of the tennis, we honour those who support love, diversity and freedom and refute the ignorance and lies of those remaining few people who will not learn and will not listen:
being gay is not a choice, and it’s not an illness, it'[s YOU who make us sick. Here they are, in their own words, and on parade online at http://www.currentaffairs.net.au/champions/.
RAINBOW CHAMPIONS
Sporting bodies often kick off the final phase of their tournaments with a parade of champions: men and women whose contribution they wish to honour.
The Rainbow Flags Over Margaret Court Arena campaign barely existed a fortnight ago, yet such has been the strength of support that we go into the final weekend of the Australian Open with a still-growing membership and many high-profile endorsements.
So we honour OUR champions today: champions of diversity, inclusion, acceptance, celebration and love for the wonderful variety of humankind, whose contributions to the campaign have helped us make such an impact.
Chris Tanti CEO Headspace
“She is only a great tennis player, which doesn’t excuse her from using and abusing that position in a sports mad culture like our own to do more harm to a young population that is arguably the most at risk in our community. Rainbow flags at Margaret Court Stadium – drape the whole tennis centre I say.”
Carl Katter, brother of big hat Bob
“To re-enforce my opinion of how truly disconnected from reality she is, Margaret Court claimed a couple of days ago she has been ‘the target of a hate campaign’. If this wasn’t such a bizarre statement it would be hilarious. Australia does not need to give this person any more exposure she is a disgrace to Australian tennis and the country.”
Shelly Argent, PFLAG national spokesperson First of all, our lesbian daughters and gay sons are not sick. To be homosexual is a natural sexual orientation.
I would also like to give the message to Margaret Court that love between two people cannot be an abomination. I think couples should be allowed to marry who they love.”
Martin Foley MP
“I call upon all those many Tennis fans, Tennis Australia and the Australian Open to take a stand for diversity, tolerance and an inclusive sporting culture. Don’t just take the view that these are the harmless comments of some old out of touch champion.
Kerry Greenwood, author of the Phryne Fisher books “I have no idea about the tennis, but my best friend is gay and deserves equal rights”.
Sandy & Tessa Winton – ex-Neighbours star and wife Good luck with the campaign! Please exercise mine and my wife’s free speech on our behalf! Love and tolerance to all.
Bob Morley, Neighbours star, plays Chris Pappas boyfriend “A person is defined by their morals and values, not by their sexuality. I feel that there is no place for such prejudice in today’s society.”
Ricki-Lee Coulter, singer
“As someone who is lucky enough to everyday be surrounded by and supported in my career by gay men and women – I find this disgusting and ignorant.”
Clem Newton-Brown Liberal MP for Prahran “Margaret Court made some pretty abhorrent statements last week. I support those who wish to show their support for the GLBTI community by non disruptive display of their rainbow colours at the Australian Open”
Anton Enus SBS Newsreader
“Sitting in the crowd at Margaret Court Arena waving a huge rainbow flag… was a simple gesture but hugely significant for me personally.
This is my community. When faced with narrow-mindedness, there’s a clear choice: fairness and dignity or bigotry. We’re on the side of the angels on this one.”
Christos Tsiolkas, author of The Slap
“[Margaret Court’s] comments would also be hurting and confusing many young people, especially sportspeople, who want to look up to her as a source of inspiration and pride. That’s a mean-spirited betrayal.”
Paul Martin, ex-ex-gay psychologist
“The people involved with these [pentecostal reparative therapy] groups don’t actually mean harm – they are lovely individuals, I’m sure. However, they are genuinely ignorant and driven by personal belief that is not in tune with reality.”
Laura Robson, up & coming tennis star
Wore a rainbow scrunchie on court, said, “‘I wore it because I believe in equal rights for everyone,.”
Martina Navratilova, lesbian tennis legend “I have spoken to [Margaret Court] years ago but she was all about Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. She repeated that four or five times so I just felt I couldn’t get through to her.”
Pastor Mike Hercock, 100 Revs
“The trauma caused to young people who believe the message that Margaret is perpetuating in our Churches is serious, dangerous and irresponsible.”
Sen Sarah Hanson-Young, Sen Richard Di Natale, Adam Bandt MP “Margaret Court was a tennis champion who deserves the accolades she has received for her contribution to her sport, however her suggestion that sexuality is something that can be ‘overcome’ is wrong and dangerous.”
Lyn MacClaren WA Green MLC
“Aside from rejecting Ms Court’s views on homosexuality I find it distasteful that her sporting achievements apparently enable her to splash extremist views over the front page of a daily newspaper.”
Mike Stutchberry
Posted a hilarious blog
Marieke Hardy
Posted an even funnier one
Rod Laver
“Each to their own . . . that would be all I can really say about it.”
Many gay community leaders have also spoken out in support here Really Long Link Including former evangelical pastor Anthony Venn-Brown, Australia Marriage Equality leader Alex Greenwich, LGBTI Health Alliance general manager Warren Talbot, and Scott Williams, co-founder of LGBTIQ youth advocacy and support group Wear it Purple.
Last but not least, thanks to everyone who is carrying a rainbow flag, ribbon, hat, badge, umbrella at the Open. You are passionate about equality, passionate about tennis, determined to make your point but without creating disharmony and disruption.
As we fly our colours through this final weekend, please think about what you want to happen next year. We have 12 months in which to plan, organise and fundraise. In Chris Tanti’s words, let’s drape the whole tennis centre in rainbows, in 2013!!
Exec. Producer / Presenter ‘The Rainbow Report’ Joy 94.9 7pm Tuesdays Op eds: http://www.currentaffairs.net.au (and currently all Margaret Court related stories) Prog. blog :http://www.rainbowreporter.com Australian correspondent, Sirius OutQ News, New York http://www.siriusoutq.com/
And,
AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGE EQUALITY
27th January, 2012
ADVOCATES WELCOME MOVE TO HELP AUSSIE SAME-SEX COUPLES MARRY OVERSEAS
Australian marriage equality advocates have congratulated the federal Attorney-General, Nicola Roxon, for moving quickly to remove bureaucratic barriers to same-sex couples marrying overseas.
Ms Roxon has announced that from February 1st Australians in same-sex relationships will be able to obtain a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) which is required by some foreign governments before they allow foreign nationals to legally marry.
Until now the Australian Government has issued CNIs to heterosexual partners as a matter of course, but has refused to give them to same-sex partners even though the only way for Australian same-sex partners to marry is if they do so abroad.
As a result many same-sex partners have had to cancel their wedding plans while some have been unable to access entitlements offered by foreign governments in areas like immigration, health care and insurance because they are unable to marry their partner.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Alex Greenwich, said,
“The real problem remains the failure of parliament to allow same-sex marriages in Australia, but the removal of the CNI ban will ease the burden on same-sex couples who are forced overseas to marry.”
“It’s already painful enough for same-sex partners to have to marry overseas, away from family and friends, without the Australian Government putting up additional bureaucratic barriers.”
“We welcome the commitment of Ms Roxon to removing this mean-spirited policy as quickly as possible.”
“We will follow up with her office and the foreign affairs department to ensure the Smart Traveller website highlights the new policy and all consulates are made aware of it.”
Mr Greenwich paid tribute to all those who lobbied and spoke out against the same-sex CNI ban.
“I’d like to thank the Public Interest Advocacy Centre for providing us with compelling legal advice about why the policy was wrong”
“This policy change is also a tribute to advocacy and skill of Rainbow Labor and its pro-equality campaign in the lead up to the Labor National Conference.”
“But most of all I tip my hat to the couples who were brave enough to go public about being denied CNIs and highlight why this cruel and petty policy had to change.”
The policy of denying CNIs began under the Howard Government after it amended the Marriage Act to ban the recognition of same-sex marriages in 2004. In December, the Labor National Conference endorsed marriage equality and called on the Federal Government to allow equal access to CNIs.
A number of Australian same-sex partners went public about the CNI ban including, Angela Borella, the sister of former Tasmanian Premier, David Bartlett, who was forced to cancel plans to marry her Portuguese partner in Lisbon when she discovered she could not obtain a CNI.
Places that allow same-sex marriage and require CNIs include Portugal, Spain, Norway, the Netherlands and New York State. The Netherlands and New York state waived their CNI requirement when they became aware of the Australian policy.
PRESS RELEASE – RAINBOW FLAGS OVER MARGARET COURT ARENA
NEIGHBOURS STARS PAST & PRESENT LEND THEIR SUPPORT
In August 2010 the iconic Australian TV show ‘Neighbours’ revealed an upcoming gay storyline. Executive producer Susan Bower said “I do believe homophobia is still alive and well, and I have no doubt that we will get complaints about it.”
She said the storyline was a direct result of requests from young viewers in Neighbours’ official online forums.
The program needed to be more representative of the community and so the Chris Pappas character was introduced to Ramsay Street.
Freemantle Media said the feedback had been nothing but positive.
Fast forward to 2012 and expressions of intolerance, like recent statements by Margaret Court, still impact those same young viewers who want to see their reality reflected in the media they watch.
Sandy Winton, formerly of Neighbours, stressed his support of the new grassroots movement ‘Rainbow Flags Over Margaret Court Arena saying “Good luck with the campaign! Please exercise mine and my wife’s free speech on our behalf! Love and tolerance to all.”
Bob Morley, the newest addition to the storyline, in the role of love interest for the character ‘Chris Pappas’ was moved by the intolerance still endured by the gay community, saying “A person is defined by their morals and values, not by their sexuality. I feel that there is no place for such prejudice in today’s society.”
Freemantle Media welcomed the opportunity for the actors of Neighbours to freely express their personal views.
Pictures of Sandy, Bob and other Rainbow Champions are online at http://www.currentaffairs.net.au/champions/
Issued by: Rainbow Flags Over Margaret Court Arena Doug Pollard
Alex Greenwich, Australian Marriage Equality
