Marriage equality motion introduced in NSW
A motion calling upon the Federal Parliament to back marriage equality was introduced into NSW Parliament today, with debate on the motion now extended to take place next Thursday after a large number of Upper House MPs signalled they would be speaking on the issue.
Introducing the motion this morning, Greens MP Cate Faehrmann was at one point close to tears when speaking about her belief the state’s politicians had an “obligation” to represent the interests of all constituents, a majority of which support marriage equality.
“We as a parliament and as legislators, as mothers and fathers, as sisters and brothers, sons and daughters, as friends and community members, need to acknowledge that marriage discrimination is having a real impact in the community,” she said.
“Those of you who do not want same-sex marriage, that is fine, you do not have to enter into one.
“But please allow others the joy, the love the validation, the sanction that you are able to enjoy in your marriage or in other marriages that our society has blessed.”
Faehrmann's motion is similar to recently successful ones introduced in Tasmania and the ACT.
Coalition MPs have been granted a conscience vote on the motion as have Labor MPs.
Addressing the debate right after the motion’s introduction, Liberal MLC Marie Ficarra said she did not believe the lack of marriage equality was an issue of discrimination but more about protecting children.
“I am confident I speak for mainstream NSW, and indeed mainstream Australia, in opposing [same-sex marriage],” she said.
Unsurprisingly to most, Christian Democratic Party leader Fred Nile also said he would oppose the motion.
“It is not just because Fred Nile has some sort of reaction to homosexuals, or even to same sex marriages, my position is one based on my Christian faith and my Christian belief,” Nile said.
“It is an institution that has come to us for thousands of years, as designed by the creator almighty God.”
Nationals MP Trevor Kahn, who successfully added an amendment to today’s motion to prevent religious groups from being forced to conduct same-sex marriages, said allowing same-sex couples to wed would prove beneficial to the longstanding ritual.
“I don't support gay marriage despite being a conservative I support gay marriage because I am a conservative,” Kahn said.
“We shouldn’t just allow gay marriage, we should insist upon gay marriage, we should regard it as scandalous that two people who claim to love each other and not want to sanctify their love with marriage and fidelity.”
Labor MP Penny Sharpe meanwhile made specific mention of how the introduction of marriage equality would benefit trans and intersex people, for whom the current laws mean their marriages could be deemed illegal should their legal gender in the future differ from identity documents at the time of marriage.
“Legislating for marriage equality will have zero effect on anyone else's marriage,” Sharpe said.
“It will provide legal stability and recognition for two people who are seeking to commit to each other for life.”
It is expected a vote will be taken on one of three marriage equality bills currently before Federal Parliament sometime in the second half of this year.
- Tags: Cate Faehrmann, Christian Democratic Party, Coalition, Fred Nile, Greens, Labor, Marie Ficarra, Marriage Equality, Motion, Nationals, NSW, NSW Parliament, Penny Sharpe, Politics, Same-Sex Marriage, SX, Sydney, Trevor Kahn
Comments (4)
It's crazy! Why should the government accept a motion excluding religious groups from being forced to marry us? They caused all the hatred against us in the first place and now they're being let off the hook.
The majority of Christians, as the polls show time and time again, support Marriage Equality. Politicians are letting 26 friends of Facebook's Christian Lobby, decide the fate of thousands of Australians, perhaps even a million or so people.
I don't know why we're going down the path of state-based queer marriage? There are far more important issues for NSW, like legalising nudity.
Oh for Kuggle sake, move on people, if you WANT to Believe in God, do so, but DON"T force it on other's whom don't, Free Will we have. and if Gays get legally married, it won't effect me, a straight single lady. on marriage in general, in the end of it all, it's about LOVE, regardless of the body or gender, being honest to each other, faithful, mature, caring, common sense, safe, wise in your choices, being civil in our community. Jesus advice " US" to NOT to Judge ANYONE, not oh don't Judge but gays, or different Race, or different faiths, he simply said " DON"T Judge, or You'll Be Judge!" Don't twist his commands! Any one can sign a piece of paper, it's what you after the wedding that makes a real marriage happen.
Life is far too short to worry about silly little things like Gays able to be legally get married, when they are wars happening, people dying from illness, no food, lack of shelter, those in High Power abusing their authority, laws not written to protect victims from abuse, lack of Knowledge destroys my people, as God said in the Bible.
All religion's of the world NEED to stop Putting Their God in a small box, claiming to truly know Who he is, what he would think, or do or hate, blah blah blah, get over it. No ONE really know's WHOM God is, if there is one, how do we really know what is truth? For one thing, I never ask, or got to be ask if I wanted to be born in the first place, if my soul is at stake here, isn't it my right to choose if I wish to be on earth, with so called free will, then have to believe a God whom I can't see, hear or feel? That's why we have six senses right?
Not here to tell people there isn't a God, cause guess WHAT? I can't prove it more then if there is a God, its really in the end a personally choice, BUT stop beating people in the head with it, you make it worse! Stop brain washing those whom are low in their life, feel lost, un loved and un needed, that's is call taking advantage of someone.
I know whom I am in my heart, I am honest with myself, I choose to be civil with others, obey the law, do the right thing, treat every one as I would like to be treated, respect others as I would like to be respect, that to me is the proof of God, not going to church and shouting Halleujah, saying Praise Jesus, don't do this and don't do that, or you'll go to HELL. Most people get hurt by the church and the so called Holy ones. We live in the 21st Century, times have change cause we have change, our way of thinking, our life style, our surroundings, health, more understand of our bodies, minds and life span, cause it the end it's Not how we started, or where we end up, it's WHAT you are doing Right NOW!