Stand Up for Same Sex Marriage in the ACT - Strategies and Tactics for Queer Liberation

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 - 18:00

In the Perth Activist Centre, 15/5 Aberdeen St. near McIver Station.

The ACT Legislative Assembly recently passed legislation for same sex marriage. Although it has some shortcomings (i.e it excludes some transgender and intersex people), this is a major development in Australian politics. It is the first time any kind of queer marriage has ever been legal in Australia.

The Abbott government launched a high court challenge straight after the legislation was passed. We should hear on the 12th of December whether or not the high court upholds the legislation. In the mean time, twelve same sex couples will marry in the ACT this weekend – the first in Australian history.

We are all on the edge of our seats waiting to hear what the high court decision will be. If we win we will celebrate. But if the high court upholds Abbott we will keep fighting. Come to this Socialist Alliance meeting for a discussion about the mass movement that got us this far, and the strategies to win full marriage equality in this country.

The Socialist Alliance has been active in the movement for marriage equality for nearly ten years. In 2004 we were instrumental in reviving Community Action Against Homophobia, the group that started the first rallies. We also helped to initiate the first national day of action, the campaign for civil unions in the ACT, and the massive 10 000 strong convergence on the ALP national conference in 2011 – the biggest queer protest in Australian history.

Featuring Farida Iqbal, long term activist for marriage equality and Socialist Alliance member. Farida was active in the ACT for four years, and is now involved in Equal Love WA.