Gay Marriage In Australia

Equity and respect for others are two of the main values that are instantly presented to the audience. Wong makes it clear that they are two beliefs of hers that are not displayed frequently enough in Parliament, as if same sex couples were in a world where they were treated with a sense of egalitarianism and respect, then gay marriage would be unquestionably legalized. Improvement is also a prominent theme displayed by the author, who utilizes quotes such as ‘marriage equality is both necessary and overdue’ (Wong, 2016) and ‘gay and lesbian Australians can vote, serve in the military, represent our country on the sporting field, teach in our universities, preside as judges, staff our hospitals, and be a member of the federal cabinet. Yet we cannot marry the person we love’. (Wong, 2016) These two quotations are clear demonstrations of the author’s conviction that Australia can be undoubtedly improved with the introduction of new laws that allow citizens of all sexualities to

For Australian law to be effective it must be dynamic so it can reflect changing societal views, which law reform can help attain. A significant area of recent social change is the acceptance of same-sex relationships in Australian society. To mirror this, current law reforms have been somewhat effective in achieving just outcomes regarding the recognition of same-sex relationships in Commonwealth law. The combination of official recognition of same-sex relationships to an extent, attempts at removing discrimination in legislation, and the delay of justice denotes this. Considering the achievement of justice and the protection of individual’s rights, it is evident that law reform has significantly improved recognition of same-sex relationships, but there are more essential responses that need to be enacted.

Same-sex marriage or more formally known as gay marriage, is the marriage between two people of the same sex. In Australia it’s illegal, marriage in Australia is “the voluntary union, entered into for life, of one man and one women to the exclusion of all others” (Marriage Act 1961). In some states in the USA it is legal for example Colorado, California and New York. In Australia same-sex couples have no access to marriage, civil unions or other federal relationship registration. Same sex couples can be recognised as de facto couples. Same-sex couples are prevented from marrying by the amendments to the Marriage Act 1961, passed in 2004 by the Howard Government, Labor party. However same-sex couples who are married in countries where same-sex is legal cannot divorce within Australia due to the same-sex marriage ban. At the federal level, in 2008 and 2009, there was a wide-ranging suite of reforms to provide equal entitlements and responsibilities for same-sex couples, This includes social security, employment, taxation and superannuation. Tony Abbott has traditionally opposed same-sex marriage, and in 2012 parliament had debates on the same-sex marriage bills, in the election campaign, Abbott reaffirmed that he would not support legislation to allow gay marraige.

The debate over whether to recognise same-sex marriage attracted the attention every Australia legislature. This debate that has been occurring for many years, however after the nation of Ireland legalised same sex marriage has influenced Australian legislature but have not pushed for anything. Grabbing the attention of the populace which they want same sex marriage to be legalised has been halted and delayed in their process by the government backed by a religious elites. This journal will provide arguments on both sides which will provide good information in the

Everyone under the Australian law deserves the right to be treated rightfully and justly. But currently, people are being discriminated due to who they choose to love. Love is something that has no boundaries. As a nation, we need to come to the acceptance that we aren't able to control people's views and values. There are 1,138 advantages, rights and protections accessible to married couples in federal law alone. Benefits accessible only to wedded couples include hospital visitations whilst someone is sick, access to family health coverage, ability to file a joint tax return amid a disease, the choice of documenting a joint expense form to diminish

Among innumerable reasons why marriage equality should be legalized in Australia, a prominent one is that restricting the option to marry any citizen is discriminatory and unconstitutional. This sort of treatment not only deprives every-day people of their dignity, creating a second class of citizens, but also suggests that LGBTI+ people are somehow unworthy of participation in one of the fundamental institutions of our society. A lack of opportunity to formalize same-sex relations implies that these relationships aren 't of equal standard, exacerbating unjust prejudice and intolerance. This impression is promoted through the lack of financial, medical and social rights associated with marriage to individuals in a civil union, the supposed 'adequate equivalent ' for marriage. Although the legalisation of marriage equality would have no impact on non-LGBTI+ communities,

People look forward to the day where they can get married and start a family, not having that right can lower people’s self-esteem as they feel that they are not good enough to have that right. This can cause depression for many Australians which all members of Parliament vowed to protect. This unfulfilled promise lead Australia to believe they have the freedom to vote, and if 72% of Australia supports the idea of gay and lesbian marriage then, Australia must uphold its promise, to democracy and give

The last gay man to be arrested for sodomy was put away for 8 months in 1984, that was only 33 years ago. Anti-gay laws were only recently repealed between 1975-1997, the last start being Tasmania, which was essentially forced to by the rest of the country to change its outdated ways. Nineteen ninety bloody seven. People born in that year wouldn’t even be 21 yet. We still do not have same sex marriage in Australia. Same sex couples married overseas are recognised as married in most of our states, excluding the Northern Territory and Western Australia - which is appalling, an absolute embarrassment to our country. You won’t allow a couple in love to even be considered married if they had to go to another country to be wed. You know what the Northern Territory also refuses to allow? Same sex couples can’t adopt the children that straight couples couldn’t look after, so

In addition to the hostility and embarrassment that homosexuals face every day, they also encounter political and legal policies and practices that prevent them from living a normal life like heterosexual people. For example, there are laws that prevent people of the same gender to be legally married to each other such as proposition eight in California. Gay people just want the right to be able to be happy with a significant other, make a family, and show their loyalty in each other through marriage. There is no difference whether that significant other is of the same gender or opposite, at the end of the day they just want that chance of happiness just like everyone else. Unfortunately, there are laws in places that prevent that from becoming true. Not allowing homosexuals to marry can affect many people’s lives and can even be detrimental to one’s health. For example in the article “The Case of Sharon Kowalski and Karen Thompson: Ableism,

In my mind the key issue is that when will love win over the Australian rule? In the US, Same sex marriage had legalized marriage equality to all states, giving an opportunity for every lesbians; bisexual; gay man; transgender a chance to marry their partner but in Australia it is still illegal. Australian government had left many gay people wonder when their nation provides a full same sex marriage to all Australians.

In the past fifty years the movement towards homosextual-heterosextual equality has resulted in a change in the social attitude towards a discriminated minority. Despite this, many homosexual people still face discrimination today by both the state and society. The first act to end discrimination was in 1974 in South Australia, when

Prime Minister of Australia, Malcom Turnbull, had instated for a vote among those in parliamentary for the legalization of same sex marriage. The problem with this is that marriage isn’t a topic the should be voted on in a court by those who don’t understand the sensitivity of the issue. Couples are denied a natural God-given right by elders who have been conditioned to looked down on those whose views and ideals

Section 51 (xxi) of the Australia Constitution gives Commonwealth power to regulate and define the meaning of marriage. It has been defined as “a formal, monogamous and heterosexual union for life”. This definition of marriage is taken from the 19th century English cases, which are Hyde v Hyde and Woodmansee . However, nowadays, people start to challenge the definition of marriage given in the constitution and demand for the change. They want the definition of marriage includes same sex couples and these couples been given the same rights as heterosexual couples.

Equal rights is an important issue in Australia and the current legislation that surrounds gay marriage is a major road block to equality for our nation. It is unjustifiable to discriminate against a minority group based upon characteristics that are entirely harmless to society and won't impact those outside of the gay and lesbian community. Here are some of the reasons behind why homosexual couples are still being discriminated against.

Same-Sex unions in Australia are considered as de facto unions under the Australian Federal law However, according to the federal government every Australian State and territory is capable and permitted to create their own law in regard to same sex relationship registers and same sex partnership schemes. Under the Federal Marriage Act (1961) Same sex couples are prohibited from marrying since 2004 amendment which was passed by