New SA MP speaks out for marriage equality

ADELAIDE: The equal marriage movement has received further support within the State Legislative Council after new Labor MLC Gerry Kandelaars declared his support for same-sex marriage.

In his first speech to the council Kandelaars said he backed greater rights for homosexuals and that, “in the eyes of the law, they are second-class citizens, which they are certainly not.”

“As a father of a homosexual daughter, I know the anguish that the current laws that prohibit gay marriage cause, not only for Katie and Simone but also for the rest of our tight-knit family,” he said.

Kandelaars said that Australians need, “to truly accept that homosexuality is a reality and that homosexual couples should be able to have their relationship and their love recognised under our secular law, just as heterosexual couples can.”

He has already proven his backing for marriage equality by voting in support of Senator Penny Wong’s motion at last year’s ALP State Convention calling for equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.

He added that he will be backing the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Bill put forward by Labor MLC Ian Hunter that will allow lesbian couples and single women to access IVF treatment in South Australia.

“In my view, parenting is not about gender but about your commitment and devotion to your children and about the love you have for them and about what is in your heart,” he said.

Ian Hunter said he is delighted to have Kandelaars support in the Legislative Council on these crucial gay issues.