|
|
2012/09: Should Australia legalise gay marriage?
Introduction to the media issue
Video clip at right:In May 2012, US Vice-President Joe Biden announced in a television interview that he supported same-sex marriage. Subsequently, President Barack Obama said that his position on the controversy had also "evolved". If you cannot see this clip, it will be because video is blocked by your network. To view the clip, access from home or from a public library, or from another network which allows viewing of video clips.
What they said...
'Gay people do not regard same-sex marriage as a priority, and show no more enthusiasm for it than for civil partnerships, which give the same legal advantages'
Dr Austen Ivereigh, director of the British media advocacy group Catholic Voices
'The message currently being sent by our federal law is that...lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered...relationships are inferior'
Australian Marriage Equality
The issue at a glance
On May 9, 2012, the United States president, Barack Obama, announced his personal support for same-sex marriage. The announcement has served to further invigorate demands for the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Australia.
On December 3, 2011, the Australian Labor Party's National Conference voted to allow its Parliamentary representatives to follow their conscience on the issue.
On February 13, 2012, New South Wales Labor backbencher Stephen Jones and Greens MP Adam Bandt each introduced private member's bills into the House of Representatives to allow same-sex marriage under law in Australia.
With Labor MPs allowed a conscience vote on the issue, the twin bills appear likely to be voted down by the combined numbers of their Labor opponents - including Prime Minister Julia Gillard - and the Coalition.
The debate has continued in the Parliament and the media.