Marriage equality advocates say the commencement of civil union ceremonies in Queensland boosts the case for marriage equality in Australia.
From today Queensland, Australia couples can have civil union ceremonies following the re-enactment of civil union legislation late last year.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said,
“The fact same-sex couples can enter civil unions in Queensland highlights how ridiculous it is that same-sex couples can’t marry across the country.”
“I call on Malcolm Turnbull to allow a free vote on marriage equality in the next sitting of Parliament so the reform can can pass.”
Mr Croome re-iterated that civil unions are not a substitute for marriage equality.
“Civil unions provide a degree of affirmation and legal certainty for same-sex couples but only being allowed to marry will provide full equality.”
The other Australian jurisdictions with official civil union ceremonies are Tasmania and the ACT. They are proposed in Victoria.
Photo By Kurt Löwenstein Educational Center International Team from Germany (qe07 (9)) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
