(no subject)
Hello friends/family,
It's not often I send around bulk emails asking for you to reply
and send on. We get enough spam as it is, but this is an issue that's
obviously close to me, and one i've spent pretty much all of my
adult years working against, so please read on, and do what you can.
It's a request for you to get involved in some urgent online social
justice activism. It'll only take a few minutes of your time and is
aimed at convincing John Howard's government and the Labor Party
that they have no right to legislate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender (LGBT) Australians into second-class citizenship.
It will take just a few minutes of your time using the steps below.
The Issue
By now you've probably heard that the Federal Government has
introduced legislation aimed at ensuring that marriage remains the exclusive
domain of heterosexual couples, along with an amendment to prohibit
same-sex couples from adopting children from overseas.
This legislation sends a clear message that same-sex relationships
and LGBT parenting are considered second-rate. Government has no place
interfering in personal relationships in this way. To do so through
legislation is especially problematic because it takes away the
natural evolution of common law as it keeps pace with changing societal
attitudes.
Mark Latham's Labor Party has signalled an intention to support the
legislation. Spokesperson Nicola Roxon has agreed that because
marriage has always been between a man and a woman, it should remain so.
Supporters of a ban on same-sex marriage argue:
* the move is about protecting marriage as an institution for
raising children (there is no relationship between marriage and
child rearing - what about heterosexual couples without children, and
LGBT couples with them?),
* that marriage is a fundamental bedrock institution that doesn't
change (it has and does change, otherwise mixed race marriages
would still be illegal, and women would still be regarded as the property
of their husbands),
* that marriage provides stability, social coherence and health
(so why exclude a group of people from enjoying these benefits?),
* that allowing same-sex marriage undermines the validity or
sanctity of marriage (how does one loving, consenting relationship
do that to another?), and
* that same-sex marriages will lead to the erosion of social
values (how is this evidenced - many other countries similar to
Australia, like Canada recognise same-sex relationships and
marriage, and the sky hasn't fallen in there)
It is vitally important that this move by Howard is either stopped
or sidetracked - but especially that it is removed from the election
process.
At the moment, Howard sees it as a conservative vote winner -
similar to the Tampa refugees situation - he knows it threatens to split the
ALP down the middle between left leaning social progressives and the
More conservative elements. He wants to woo back conservative voters who
have drifted back to Labor, and he is using community homophobia to do
it.
It is vitally important that the issue is taken out of the election
process. The move will enshrine discrimination in legislation, at a
time when more and more people accept equality for same-sex couples,
both nationally and internationally. Australia already has a poor human
rights record on GLBT issues when compared to all other comparable
jurisdictions.
These issues are important and deserving of full community debate
with proper process, and outside of the heat of an election. This can be
achieved by at very least ensuring the legislation is sent to a
Senate Committee for debate.
What can you do about it?
The reality is that politicians will only alter their stance if
slapped in the face by enough voter indignation. So, they need to know that
they now risk losing your vote. Each of us need spend only a few minutes
of our time to mobilise an enormous number of people to do three
things - protest to the right politicians, get them worrying about their
seat and spread the word.
Having read this far, PLEASE spare five minutes to be part of a
massive campaign. Prove the Net can be a tool for social justice!
Below you'll find form letters which can be emailed to the
specific politicians named in each letter. The idea is to work on the key
Labor members and the two progressive independent senators. If you've
time, feel free to customise the contents or create your own - a variety
of letters is more effective than getting the same one over and over,
but they all help. If you've limited time, just copy and paste from
below. Each letter contains the email addresses required.
As well, I've included links to the Parliamentary email lists for
both House of Reps and Senate. If you have any time at all to spare,
adapt one of the letters and send it to your local representatives.
Please spare the few minutes to protest by cutting and pasting the
following letters attached to Mark Latham, Nicola Roxon, and
independent senators Meg Lees and Shane Murphy. Then forward the entire email
to friends not listed in the address bar above.
This is arguably the most important equal rights issue since the
1967 Referendum.
At a time when many of you, and friends and family are enjoying the
benefits and social recognition of your relationships through
marriage, think of the long term impact this cynical electioneering wedge is
likely to have on your LGBT friends and family members.
Thanks,
Jason
Links to Parliamentary email lists
Senate - http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/senators/Email.htm
House of Reps - http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/EMail.asp
Sample Letters
Federal Labor Leader Mark Latham
C/o Parliament House
Canberra, 2600
M.Latham.MP@aph.gov.au
Cc: Ms Nicola Roxon
Shadow Attorney-General
Nicola.Roxon.MP@aph.gov.au
Re: Amendments to the Marriage Act and legislation governing overseas adoptions
Dear Mr Latham,
I am writing to ask the Australian Labor Party to oppose Government
legislation which will entrench marriage as the union of a man and
a woman, and prohibit same sex couples adopting children from
overseas.
The Government's legislative amendments send out the clear messages
that same sex relationships are second rate and that parenting by
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is a threat to
children.
These messages are not acceptable. They foster the stigma already
endured by same sex couples and their children and would not be
endorsed by the majority of Australians.
If the Labor Party cannot oppose these amendments outright I urge
you to send the legislation to a Senate Committee inquiry for the
following reasons.
The Government's amendments to the Marriage Act raise many legal
and constitutional issues.
They include -
a) the relationship between the Marriage Act and the marriage
powers of the Commonwealth Constitution,
b) our compliance with obligations under the Hague Convention on
the Recognition of Foreign Marriages
c) international comity as the Government's legislation will
involve Australia refusing to recognise the valid marriages of Canadians
and people from other countries which permit same sex marriage,
d) violation of Australia's international human rights obligations
to prevent discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation,
e) undermining the proper role of the common law in allowing the
definition of marriage to keep pace with changing attitudes as it
has in the past,
f) preventing Australian citizens from accessing the national
justice system to make a claim on equal treatment, and
g) use of the law to re-inforce stigma and prejudice against same
sex relationships.
The Government's amendments to legislation governing overseas
adoptions also raise many legal and constitutional issues.
They include -
a) the Federal Government's misuse of the External Affairs power to
enact legislation in an area over which the Commonwealth has no
Constitutional power, namely the welfare of children,
b) legal and constitutional inconsistencies between the
Government's use of international agreements to entrench discrimination and
Australia's international obligations to remove discrimination,
c) direct violation of Australia's international human rights
obligations to prevent discrimination on the grounds of sexual
orientation,
d) banning known child overseas adoptions, including the adoption
of children living in foreign countries which allow overseas same sex
couple adoption and who would benefit from being adopted by an
Australian relative in a same sex relationship, and
e) use of the law to reinforce stigma and prejudice against same
sex couples and their children.
Clearly the Government's legislation will have a radical impact in
many areas of law and on many aspects of Australian society. It
therefore requires the kind of mature reflection and detailed
examination which only a Senate Committee can bring to bear.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to your response.
Yours Sincerely,
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------
Senator Meg Lees
Senator for South Australia
Leader, Australian Progressive Alliance
senator.lees@aph.gov.au
Tel: (02) 6277 3991
Fax: (02) 6277 3996
Re: Amendments to the Marriage Act and legislation governing
overseas adoptions
Dear Senator Lees,
I am writing to ask you to oppose Government legislation which will
entrench marriage as the union of a man and a woman, and prohibit
same sex couples adopting children from overseas.
The Government's legislative amendments send out the clear messages
that same sex relationships are second rate and that parenting by
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is a threat to
children.
These messages are not acceptable. They foster the stigma already
endured by same sex couples and their children and would not be
endorsed by the majority of Australians.
If you cannot oppose these amendments outright I urge you to send
the legislation to a Senate Committee inquiry for the following
reasons.
The Government's amendments to the Marriage Act raise many legal
And constitutional issues.
They include -
a) the relationship between the Marriage Act and the marriage
powers of the Commonwealth Constitution,
b) our compliance with obligations under the Hague Convention on
the Recognition of Foreign Marriages
c) international comity as the Government's legislation will
involve Australia refusing to recognise the valid marriages of Canadians
and people from other countries which permit same sex marriage,
d) violation of Australia's international human rights obligations
to prevent discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation,
e) undermining the proper role of the common law in allowing the
definition of marriage to keep pace with changing attitudes as it
has in the past,
f) preventing Australian citizens from accessing the national
justice system to make a claim on equal treatment, and
g) use of the law to reinforce stigma and prejudice against same
sex relationships.
The Government's amendments to legislation governing overseas
adoptions also raise many legal and constitutional issues.
They include -
a) the Federal Government's misuse of the External Affairs power to
enact legislation in an area over which the Commonwealth has no
Constitutional power, namely the welfare of children,
b) legal and constitutional inconsistencies between the
Government's use of international agreements to entrench discrimination and
Australia's international obligations to remove discrimination,
c) direct violation of Australia's international human rights
obligations to prevent discrimination on the grounds of sexual
orientation,
d) banning known child overseas adoptions, including the adoption
of children living in foreign countries which allow overseas same sex
couple adoption and who would benefit from being adopted by an
Australian relative in a same sex relationship, and
e) use of the law to reinforce stigma and prejudice against same
sex couples and their children.
Clearly the Government's legislation will have a radical impact in
many areas of law and on many aspects of Australian society. It
therefore requires the kind of mature reflection and detailed
examination which only a Senate Committee can bring to bear.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to your response.
Yours Sincerely,
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------
Senator Shayne Murphy
Independent Senator for Tasmania
senator.murphy@aph.gov.au
Tel: (02) 6277 3551
Fax: (02) 6277 5899
Re: Amendments to the Marriage Act and legislation governing
overseas adoptions
Dear Senator Murphy,
I am writing to ask you to oppose Government legislation which will
entrench marriage as the union of a man and a woman, and prohibit
same sex couples adopting children from overseas.
The Government's legislative amendments send out the clear messages
that same sex relationships are second rate and that parenting by
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is a threat to
children.
These messages are not acceptable. They foster the stigma already
endured by same sex couples and their children and would not be
endorsed by the majority of Australians.
If you cannot oppose these amendments outright I urge you to send
the legislation to a Senate Committee inquiry for the following
reasons.
The Government's amendments to the Marriage Act raise many legal
And constitutional issues.
They include -
a) the relationship between the Marriage Act and the marriage
powers of the Commonwealth Constitution,
b) our compliance with obligations under the Hague Convention on
the Recognition of Foreign Marriages
c) international comity as the Government's legislation will
involve Australia refusing to recognise the valid marriages of Canadians
and people from other countries which permit same sex marriage,
d) violation of Australia's international human rights obligations
to prevent discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation,
e) undermining the proper role of the common law in allowing the
definition of marriage to keep pace with changing attitudes as it
has in the past,
f) preventing Australian citizens from accessing the national
justice system to make a claim on equal treatment, and
g) use of the law to re-inforce stigma and prejudice against same
sex relationships.
The Government's amendments to legislation governing overseas
adoptions also raise many legal and constitutional issues.
They include -
a) the Federal Government's misuse of the External Affairs power to
enact legislation in an area over which the Commonwealth has no
Constitutional power, namely the welfare of children,
b) legal and constitutional inconsistencies between the
Government's
use of international agreements to entrench discrimination and
Australia's international obligations to remove discrimination,
c) direct violation of Australia's international human rights
obligations to prevent discrimination on the grounds of sexual
orientation,
d) banning known child overseas adoptions, including the adoption
of children living in foreign countries which allow overseas same sex
couple adoption and who would benefit from being adopted by an
Australian relative in a same sex relationship, and
e) use of the law to reinforce stigma and prejudice against same
sex couples and their children.
Clearly the Government's legislation will have a radical impact in
many areas of law and on many aspects of Australian society. It
therefore requires the kind of mature reflection and detailed
examination which only a Senate Committee can bring to bear.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to your response.
Yours Sincerely,