Council flags fly high for equality
- Author:
- Jason Marshall
- Posted:
- Thursday, 17 November 2011
The City of Sydney Council is calling for the Federal Parliament to amend the Marriage Act to include same-sex marriage.
On Saturday, December 3, there will be a rally for marriage equality at Hyde Park and the Council has proposed flying rainbow flags and banners in support.
The rally coincides with the Australian Labor Party national conference, which is expected to include a vote to determine the Party’s stance on the issue.
Greens Councillor Irene Doutney said: “This is very timely. It’s important we support the campaign against homophobia.”
“They have enough difficulty organising rallies and events. Having the support of Sydney will help them,” she said.
Councillor Phillip Black agreed and said: “This is maybe the last step … It’s important the City takes a stand.”
National Spokesperson of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), Shelley Argent said, “I think attending the rally is a prime opportunity for those who want to show the delegates of the conference and ALP generally, that we are no longer going to remain quiet about the issue of marriage equality.”
“It’s time for those who don’t normally have the opportunity to have a voice to be seen enmasse and to let the delegates see the faces of those affected directly by the present discrimination in this country,” she said.
Two grassroots lesbian, gay, bisexual, sex and/or gender diverse (LGBSGD) rights national conferences are timed to coincide with the ALP’s national conference, when sex and gender activists from all over the country will be in Sydney.
Australia’s first Sex and Gender Diversity (SGD) Human Rights and Dignity Conference, is planned for December 2 at the Redfern Community Centre and the “1Love Equality Marriage Freedom Conference” will take place at the University of Sydney on December 4.
The sex and gender diversity conference will cover topics such as document changes, legal rights, federal anti-discrimination laws, Medicare rights, anti-poverty issues and disability rights.
The equal marriage campaign began seven years ago, there have been no national conferences that include grassroots groups from around the country.
The 1Love conference will address the marriage campaign and hold workshops on high-school bullying, international solidarity, sex and/or gender diverse rights and to commemorate World Aids Day.
Conference details can be found at sageaustralia.org and the 1love facebook page.
By Jason Marshall
Photo: Peter Boyle
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Story posted on Thursday, 17 November 2011, filed under City Hub, City News. Follow responses via the RSS feed.
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