As organisations and leaders of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities, we welcome that the “Report on the Commonwealth Government’s Exposure Draft of the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill” delivers political consensus on the ways to achieve civil marriage equality in 2017.

Australian Senate Canberra

Significantly, the report delivered a cross-party consensus on the ways the Exposure Draft of the Marriage Amendment Bill should be amended to balance protections for religious freedom while allowing all Australian couples to marry. These changes leave the current ability for ministers of religion to marry only those couples that align with their religious beliefs unchanged.

We particularly welcome the following views of the committee:

  • Civil celebrants should not discriminatorily refuse to marry any legally allowed couple.
  • It is unjust for protections of religious freedoms to single out LGBTI couples over other religious views on marriage.
  • That it would have been “unprecedented” to introduce into law the proposed power to reject same-sex weddings based on “conscientious objection,” as it would allow the concept to justify discrimination against a class of people.
  • The terms “Religious Body” and “Religious Organisation” along with “reasonably incidental to” (a marriage) should be clearly defined.
  • The bill’s name and purpose should be fully inclusive and therefore should not use the phrase “same-sex marriage.”

We note the committee’s consensus proposal of the creation of a new category of ‘religious marriage’ celebrants to clearly delineate these celebrants from ‘civil marriage’ celebrants. We believe civil marriage celebrants should not be permitted under law to marry some couples but not others.

While recognising the committee has identified issues for Parliament to address, such as how to include ‘religious belief’ within Australia’s anti-discrimination laws, we support the view that this should not delay the Parliament’s deliberations on marriage equality and call on all parties to legislate for this important reform this year.

We thank the members of the Committee for their determination to work together. The Senators have shown that the issue of marriage equality is above party politics and an issue on which the Parliament can work across party lines to find a way forward.

Our shared goal is simple – we want the Parliament to vote for marriage equality as soon as possible.

We thank the Parliament for decisively voting down the proposed plebiscite last year. The Senate’s decision to explore the Government’s draft legislation to amend the Marriage Act has identified a clear and achievable pathway to allow all loving and committed LGBTI couples access to civil marriage in Australia. The committee has identified the changes necessary to help the Exposure Draft pass the Senate, and now we must move forward on a real bill.

Marriage equality is an outcome with benefits for every community across Australia, whether they are rural or regional, suburban or metropolitan, culturally or linguistically diverse, and young or old. Our friends, family, colleagues and the two-thirds of Australians who consistently state their support for this important and straightforward reform are watching and waiting for leadership. This inquiry has demonstrated marriage equality will take nothing away from anyone but will mean the world to loving and committed LGBTI couples, their families and their friends.

LGBTI Australians across this nation defend, serve, protect and care for their fellow Australians every day. They are everyday heroes who do their jobs; they are waiting for politicians to do theirs. All we are asking from our politicians is that they afford us the dignity of being able to publicly commit to our partners in the institution of civil marriage.

Marriage promotes the greatest human values – love, respect and the freedom to pursue happiness. Extending marriage to all Australian adults is good for our community and our nation. It is only fair.

We will continue to build on the growing momentum to achieve marriage equality.  We will continue to demonstrate the nation’s strong and diverse support for marriage equality until LGBTI people are afforded the freedom, dignity and equality for their relationships that is available to every other Australian.

Acceptance Melbourne LGBT Catholics
Acceptance Sydney
ACON
ACT LGBTIQ Ministerial Advisory Council
AIDS Action Council of the ACT
Aleph Melbourne
Ro Allen, Gender and Sexuality Commissioner, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Victoria
Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International
Dr Gávriel Ansara
Asian Australian Rainbow Alliance (AAuRA)
Australian Catholics for Equality
Australian Christians for Marriage Equality
Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights
Australian Marriage Equality
Australians for Equality
Michael Barnett
Derek Bell
Pete Black
Brave Network Melbourne
Brisbane LGBTI Action Group
Phil Browne
Tim Chen
Rev Robert Clark
Pastor David Coltheart
Connect for Life Tasmania
Dayenu
Johann De Joodt
DIY Rainbow
Kate Doak
Maxine Drake
Equal Marriage Rights Australia
Kristyana Finch
Flying Bats
Lauren Foy
Freedom2b Sydney
Jamie Gardiner
Gender Diversity Alliance South Australia
Gender Help for Parents
GetUp!
Kelly Glanney
Greek and Gay Support Network
Mark Haines
Dawn Hawkins
Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC)
Sharon Jones
JOY FM
Daniel Kowalski
Lesbians in the Shoalhaven Area
LGBTI Legal Service
Lifesavers with Pride
Matthew Loader
Archdeacon Peter MacLeod-Miller
Rev Rob MacPherson
Marhaba Melbourne
Marriage Equality Gilmore
Rev Dr Margaret Mayman
Dr. Ruth McNair
Malcolm McPherson
Metropolitan Community Church – Good Shepherd
Metropolitan Community Church – Sydney
Metropolitan Community Church – Brisbane
Metropolitan Community Church – Melbourne
Muslims Against Homophobia
National LGBTI Health Alliance
New South Wales Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby
Merran Newman
Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council
OII Australia
Stephen Page
PASH.tm
Tim Peppard
PFLAG NSW
PFLAG Perth
PFLAG Tasmania
Pink Mountains
Cath Pope
Shannon Power
Pride in Diversity
Pride in Sport
Julian Punch
Chris Pycroft
Queensland AIDS Council
Queer Screen
Rainbow Families
Rainbow Rights WA
Rosh Pinah: An Affirming Orthodox Jewish Network
Sally Rugg
SARAA
Sisters of the OPI
Vice Moderator Stuart
Sydney Convicts
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Sydney Gay Meditation Group
Sydney Rangers
Transgender Victoria
Trikone Australia
Uniting Network Australia
Victorian AIDS Council
Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby
Imam Nur Warsame
Wear Rainbow
Rev J. Peter Weeks
Annie Whitehead

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