The Australian Human Rights Commission considers that the fundamental human rights principle of equality means that civil marriage should be available, without discrimination, to all couples, regardless of sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Marriage equality in a changing world
This information sheet gives an overview of the religious exemptions to unlawful discrimination in the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (SDA).
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This page was first created in April, 2013
In October 2010, the Commission launched a consultation regarding the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people in Australia. This consultation process sought views from affected individuals and organisations about the steps that they felt would provide better human rights protection for LGBTI people in Australia. This report summarises the broad range of views heard during the consultation.
Everyone has the right to be respected and safe,[2] regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age.[3] Violence, harassment and bullying are violations of these fundamental human rights.
In 2009, the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) published an issues paper about surgery on intersex infants and human rights. Since that time, the Commission acknowledges that there have been a number of significant developments with respect to the human rights of people with intersex variations. The Commission is currently reassessing the principles which have guided decision-making about medical interventions and reviewing the human rights implications of these practices in light of domestic and international developments.
The Australian Human Rights Commission considers that the fundamental human rights principle of equality means that civil marriage should be available, without discrimination, to all couples, regardless of sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. The Commonwealth Parliament, and some state parliaments are now considering legislation that would provide all couples with the same access to civil marriage that is currently confined to opposite-sex couples. This paper considers how the human rights principle of equality underpins legislative recognition of marriage equality.
