Equal love rights protests a huge success

November 17, 1993
Issue 

Rachel Evans & Farida Iqbal

Four thousand people rallied on August 13 to mark the second anniversary of the Australian government's ban on same-sex marriage. People in seven cities and four rural towns joined the national protest, which condemned both the marriage ban and the federal government's overturning of the ACT's civil unions legislation in June.

John Kloprogge, spokesperson for the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby's Equal Love campaign, reports that more than 1500 people joined Melbourne's rally. He said, "Same-sex couples, and their families and friends, displayed their strength and solidarity in sending the clear message to state and federal governments that equal love deserves equal rights. We will not back down until our relationships are accorded full equality under the law."

Simon Margan from Community Action Against Homophobia (CAAH) told Green Left Weekly that 1500 people attended the Sydney action. "Howard and company are becoming international human rights pariahs", he said. "Queer pride is a matter of life and death. We have seen an increase in bashings and verbal abuse since the banning of same-sex marriage", Margan added. "We refuse to allow queer blood and dignity to run anymore."

Ben Cooper reported that 150 people protested in Lismore, and 15 couples participated in a marriage ceremony. In Perth, said John Vidovich, "300 people attended, including straight friends and supportive parents. This was a real show of strength and unity. Watch out Howard!"

Mel Hughes from the Adelaide organising team said, "Our 150-strong action was fantastic. As yet we don't have defacto same-sex rights in South Australia. We are building a response to Howard and the Christian-right agenda. We will not be closeted!"

In the ACT, 40 people rallied against the ban on civil unions and marriage. An action organised by CAAH Blue Mountains in Springwood, NSW, on August 12 also attracted 40 people. Spokesperson Bryn Hutchinson said it was a show of support from a broad cross-section of the community. "We claimed our right as full citizens by marrying a Blue Mountains couple, while at the same time achieving the essence of peaceful civil disobedience — doing what they say we can't."

Rodney Croome from the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group said, "The giant 'sad anniversary' card signing in Hobart's Salamanca Market attracted a bigger than expected crowd and media contingent. Around 150 people signed our petition, which will be given to John Howard next week."

The Brisbane event included a motorcade, with seven cars covered with pride flags and banners calling for equal relationship rights. Australian Marriage Equality's Queensland branch organiser, Sharon Dane, said, "We travelled for two hours through major city streets, with people taking lots of photos and giving us lots of support. We had a huge impact."

A ban on overseas adoption for same-sex couples had been included in the Coalition's original same-sex marriage ban legislation, but was removed in order to get Labor's support for the marriage ban. However, a parliamentary staffer has indicated to Croome that the Family Law (Same Sex Adoption) Bill — "which would amend the Family Law Act so that adoptions by same-sex couples of children from overseas ... will not be recognised in Australia" — will be introduced in the spring session of parliament.

Meanwhile, the August 5 state conference of the WA branch of the National Party passed a motion in support of same-sex civil unions.


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