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LGBTIQ+

Human rights landmark as Australia legalises marriage equality

Parliament has today legislated for a fairer and more equal Australia by legalising marriage equality. “On this historic day, Australia joins over two dozen countries around the world in legislating for marriage equality,” said Australian Human Rights Commission President, Emeritus Professor...

Category, News
LGBTIQ+

Keynote Address - Military Pride Ball 2017

Military Pride Ball - Keynote Speech Check against delivery Introduction Acknowledgements • Thank you, James and Ellen, for your kind introduction. • Traditional owners: the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation and to pay my respects to their elders past and present. • The many members of the LGBTI...

Category, Speech
LGBTIQ+

World AIDS Day breakfast: Hobart

Terrace Room, Best Western Hobart, 156 Bathurst St, Hobart Speaking notes CHECK AGAINST DEIVERY Acknowledgements: Muwinina [pron: ‘mou wee nee nar’] people TasCAHRD (who invited me to speak) Elders in the LGBTI community. Introduction 15 years ago, when I was an idealistic law student with lots of...

Category, Speech
LGBTIQ+

Marriage equality: a return to substance over process

  The debate on marriage equality this year has focussed on process: should parliament or the people vote on this issue? We now have a welcome move to substance. Six weeks ago, Attorney-General George Brandis got the ball rolling by releasing an exposure draft marriage equality bill. It sets out...

Category, Opinion
LGBTIQ+

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Transgender Day of Remembrance Harmony Park, Goulburn St, Surry Hills Edward Santow, Human Rights Commissioner Check against delivery Acknowledgements Gadigal people of the Eora Nation Elders in the trans community, past and present. In particular, those people who have been victims of hate crimes...

Category, Speech
LGBTIQ+

Genuine marriage equality is more than overdue

Imagine seeing the words "never married" on your new husband's death certificate. As if the grief of losing your husband while honeymooning wasn't traumatic enough. Marco Bulmer-Rizzi's husband, David, died after falling down stairs at a friend's place in Adelaide. Because South Australia doesn't...

Category, Opinion
LGBTIQ+

Gays and Parents Both Have Rights

School should be a safe space for everyone to develop and learn. No ifs. No buts. Yesterday a media storm developed around the decision of Burwood Girls High School deciding to celebrate ‘Wear it Purple’ day and screening the film ‘Gayby Baby’. The two are quite distinct issues. Wear it Purple day is...

Category, Opinion
LGBTIQ+

Same-sex marriage poll puts religious freedom in danger

Religious freedom could be seriously compromised if a referendum were held on whether same-sex couples were allowed to marry. Following the events of the week numerous people have talked up a referendum, not a plebiscite, as the “public vote” on whether same-sex couples should be able to legally...

Category, Opinion
LGBTIQ+

Same-sex marriage: a law that protects the rights of all parties

A law can be designed to protect the rights of all and avoid a distracting and divisive debate on marriage for same-sex couples. There are two fundamental human rights that could be affected by any change: equality before the law and religious freedom. During the recent National Press Club debate...

Category, Opinion