Vic Govt launches register for gay couples

Victorians in gay relationships can now apply to have their unions included on a Government register.

Couples listed on the Victorian Relationships Register will be recognised by the state's courts.

Unmarried heterosexual couples can also be added to the register.

The Attorney-General, Rob Hulls says he is bewildered by opponents of the register.

"The scheme we launched today was never about undermining marriage or about creating its poor cousin," he said.

"It's simply about giving the dignity of formal recognition to those who seek it. Of saying yes, the community respects your relationships and your decision to commit to it."

Victoria's Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner, Dr Helen Szoke says the register reduces the discrimination felt by unmarried couples.

"So in a sense what this commitment does is to provide an insurance policy to people who have in the past experienced discrimination, unequal access to the law," she says.

"Who've had to fight so unfairly to assert their rights as partners for things that other people take for granted."

Gay couple win $23,000 for vilification

A mother and son have been ordered to pay $23,100 in damages to a gay couple they harassed and vilified during a bitter neighbourhood dispute that was sparked by barking dogs.

Queensland woman Jean Lawson and her son Paul Lawson must also publish a 140-word apology in local and state newspapers after calling their one-time neighbours, Timothy Wilson and Shane McCollum, "faggots", "poofs" and "princesses".

In the landmark ruling, Queensland's Anti-Discrimination Tribunal found the Lawsons vilified their homosexual neighbours to further their case during a nasty dispute about Alsatian dogs and a boundary fence.

Mr Wilson and Mr McCollum, a high school teacher, say they were forced to move out of their rented home in Logan Central after nine months of harassment and humiliation.

While tribunal member Peter Roney noted both parties "gave as good as they got", the Lawsons were found to have harassed, embarrassed and vilified Mr Wilson and Mr McCollum by calling them derogatory names in reference to their homosexuality.

Relations between the residents nose-dived in August 2005, when Mr Wilson, a 45-year-old nurse's assistant who worked mostly at night, complained to the RSPCA and local council that Mrs Lawson's two Alsatians barked all day in their yard.

The tribunal heard that when Mrs Lawson, who is in her 60s, was notified of the complaint, she believed Mr Wilson had also told the council the dogs were being mistreated.

Months of taunts ensued from both sides, with Mr Roney noting the "extraordinary animosity" that resulted.

"There were accusations and counter-accusations suggesting verbal abuse, profanities, actual physical violence, intimidation, the making of numerous police complaints, the levelling of criminal charges each against the other, application for orders that others keep the peace and be of good behaviour, and other general acts of irritation and vindictiveness passing in each direction," he wrote in the tribunal judgment.

Mr Wilson and Mr McCollum alleged Mrs Lawson called them "faggots", "girls", "ladies" and "princesses" a number of times, as well as referring to the men as "poofs" in the presence of strangers.

Mr Lawson accused the pair of calling his mother a "Scottish slut", a "Jewish whore", a "mole" and a "bitch".

Mr Wilson, speaking from Sydney today, said he never made reference to Mrs Lawson's race or culture.

"I had sleepless nights and it really was scary because a lot of our friends wouldn't come and see us," he said.

Mr Wilson said he and Mr McCollum had received support from friends and family and members of the gay community, but also some abusive phone calls, calling him a "dirty faggot".

Mr Lawson said he did not want to comment on the tribunal's decision at this stage. Nor would he comment on whether Mrs Lawson would lodge an appeal against the decision.

Same-sex relationship laws still lagging

High Court Judge Michael Kirby says despite moves to amend discrimination in a number of federal laws, same-sex relationships have been left behind.

Delivering the Rights Australia inaugural John Marsden lecture in Sydney last night, Justice Kirby said denying homosexuals the civil status of marriage was discriminatory.

He said that while many other countries had adopted marriage or civil union laws to protect the civic rights of same-sex couples, Australia lagged behind.

"In Australia, legislation is presently before the Federal Parliament to rectify the discriminatory provisions in a large collection of federal laws," he said in his speech.

"However, relationship measures lag behind."

Justice Kirby said even civil unions seemed a bridge too far.

"The relationships of same-sex couples can only be registered, rather like a dog or busker's licence."

"I hope that fellow citizens of goodwill who think upon this will not be surprised if many homosexual people in loving relationships say politely to this differentiation: 'Thank you, but no thank you'."

Justice Kirby said the debate on recognition for same-sex unions would continue in Australia.

"The direction of history, at least in countries like our own, seems to be in favour of the abiding principle of the equality of citizens of all ages, races, colours, creeds and sexualities," he said.

Marsden

Mr Marsden was president of the NSW Law Society and the NSW Council of Civil Liberties during his career.

He died in 2006.

Justice Kirby said Mr Marsden was a considerable achiever, although not without flaws.

"He was courageous and fought tenaciously for civic equality in Australia," he said.

"That is why the lecture has been named after him."

Other criticisms

Justice Kirby also used the lecture to criticise sodomy laws, which still exist in more than 30 Commonwealth countries including Zimbabwe.

He said he had been invited to speak on that topic at the 2009 Commonwealth Law Conference in Hong Kong.

"If John Marsden were here, he would be urging us all to lift our voices to tackle this relic of colonialism which, like the death penalty, persists in many Commonwealth countries, supposedly bound together by mutual respect for human rights," he said.

"Whereas in some countries the criminal laws have been repealed and reformed, the root cause for the animosity and hostility to homosexual people remains the teachings of religious leaders.

"The pain that John Marsden felt over the teachings of his church are translated in many countries, including sometimes our own, into violence, blackmail, hatred, stigma and discrimination."

Justice Kirby retires from the High Court next March.

Related:

Senate to mull gay couple law changes
Debate will begin in the Federal Senate today over proposed changes to remove discrimination against same sex couples.

Judge attacks disparity in laws

Australia has a long way to go in protecting the rights of women, Aborigines, migrants and homosexuals, High Court judge Michael Kirby said yesterday.

Justice Kirby was at the University of NSW last night to accept an honorary Doctorate of Laws for his ''eminent service to the community''.

He told graduates from the university's law faculty it was up to the next generation of lawyers to continue to uphold and improve the justice system.

"At your coming in, you must scrupulously maintain that tradition," Justice Kirby said. "You must strengthen it and safeguard it, for without law there is tyranny."

Justice Kirby, who must retire from the High Court in March when he turns 70, is tipped to leave the Bench at the end of the year.

Perhaps alluding to the reforms, which he has lobbied for, Justice Kirby said there was still inequality for women and minority groups "The position of gays has got better in my lifetime; but the oppression and ignorance are not yet over," he said.

"Inequality and discrimination have not yet stopped.

"Wrongs and injustices still occur in the law to this day, including even for me, an office-holder under the nation's Constitution. So it is work in progress; no room for complacency."

He warned graduates, "We cannot afford to be starry-eyed about our profession".

"You know that sometimes, with the aid of good lawyering, judges can strengthen the law with justice.

"But you also know many cases where this has proved impossible. And some where the outcomes sometimes seemed unnecessarily unjust. You know that access to justice is too expensive. Despite law reform reports, parliaments often neglect the demonstrated need for reform."

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Govt introduces same-sex legislation

Legislation to end discrimination for same-sex couples under Commonwealth law has been introduced in Federal Parliament.

The changes create equality for gay couples in the areas of social security, veterans affairs, medicare, tax and educational assistance.

Laws ending discrimination in superannuation were tabled earlier this year.

Attorney-General Robert McClelland says it is historic legislation.

"This bill amends some 68 Commonwealth laws which involve 19 Government departments." he said.

"It will not only remove discrimination against same-sex couples, they also remove discrimination against their families and most specifically their children."

Protection for Oxford Street gays

IT'S official - Sydney's famous Oxford Street is a homophobia-free zone.

City of Sydney council has declared the Oxford Street neighbourhood and other recognised gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender precincts free of homophobic abuse. The notion was put forward by Councillor Phillip Black this month.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore has made a pledge to collaborate with police, businesses, gay rights organisations and the community to implement the homophobic-free zone, which includes Oxford Street and parts of Darlinghurst, King Street, Newtown, and Erskineville Road, Erskineville.

"Homophobic abuse is often a precursor to violence," Cr Moore told Government News. "While all areas of NSW are technically homophobia-free zones, this strategy recognises the importance and strength of the GLBT community in our city."

NSW in rights push for lesbian mums

The New South Wales Government wants a federal law amended so children of lesbian couples can seek child support if their parents separate.

State Attorney-General John Hatzistergos says co-mothers are not recognised in Family Court proceedings under the current laws.

Mr Hatzistergos says he will ask the Federal Government to change the Family Law Act to include lesbian parents at a meeting of attorneys-general this week.

"It's important that the laws be amended to ensure that these children are treated in the same way that children of heterosexual relationships are, so that in the event that the parents split up, there is an entitlement for that child to be able to seek child support from co-mothers," he said.

"It's important to recognise that these relationships exist and these children exist, whatever one might think about them.

"And bearing in mind those facts, it's logical to ensure that we have a civilised way of ensuring the economic security of these children."

The State Government last month expanded the rights of NSW children with lesbian parents, clearing the way for children from lesbian couples to inherit money from and receive workers' compensation on behalf of their non-birth parent.

The reforms allowed both mothers to appear on their child's birth certificate.

Rights win for lesbian families

The rights of New South Wales children with lesbian parents have been expanded under legislation passed by the State Government.

The law clears the way for children from lesbian couples to inherit money from their non-birth parent and receive workers' compensation on behalf of their non-birth parent.

It also allows both mothers to appear on their child's birth certificate.

NSW Attorney-General John Hatzistergos says the Bill is a big step.

"It means that the non-birth parent will have obligations to that child in the same way that every other parent has," he said.

"It also means that child will have the same relationship with the non-birth parent as they do with their birth parent."

Mr Hatzistergos says shadow attorney-general Greg Smith defied his own party in voting against the Bill.

"The Opposition is hopelessly divided on this issue but it's important to recognise that the vote was carried 64 to 11," he said.

"With Mr Smith being one of the few leading spokespersons within the Opposition voting against the legislation, he not only defied his leader but also the leader of the National party."

Emily Gray, from the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, says many Liberal MPs, who voted against the reforms, were confused about the meaning of reforms.

"A lot of that was stemming from the fact that they believed that fathers would be removed from birth certificates following these reforms and that's just simply not true at all," she said.

Ms Gray says the changes have been long-awaited.

"With 71 per cent of the Australian population now supporting equal rights for same-sex couples, it's about time that this equality came through," she said. "We're really happy that it has."

Threat to stall same-sex reforms

AFTER fighting for years for equal recognition before the law, gay and lesbian couples face another wait because of Coalition threats to delay the Government's legislation.

Opposition's legal affairs spokesman, George Brandis, would push at today's meeting of the shadow cabinet for the Coalition to use its numbers and send the legislation to a Senate committee. The legislation, which Labor promised before the election, removes discrimination against gay couples in about 100 areas of Commonwealth law.

It does not bestow the right to marriage but gives gay couples the same rights as heterosexual de facto couples in sharing benefits such as Commonwealth superannuation and veterans' benefits.

Labor wants the legislation, which is before Parliament, passed before July 1. Any delay could push the debate back until September, leaving it at the mercy of the new Senate.

John Challis, of the CompSuper Action Committee, said he was appalled at Senator Brandis's plans. Gays would be denied the satisfaction of being recognised as equals of heterosexual de facto couples.

"It's charity, it's not social justice," Mr Challis said. "It's got nothing to do with equality between gay and heterosexual couples."

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Same sex couples add names to ACT register
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Gay activist questions govt decision
The ACT government has been forced to abandon plans to legally recognise same-sex civil union ceremonies after the Rudd government refused to support the move, upsetting the Australian Coalition for Equality.

Same sex couples add names to ACT register

Same sex couples in the ACT say they are delighted they can now legally register as partners.

Laws permitting same sex couples to formalise their relationship in the ACT were passed earlier this month, and came into force today.

Gay lobby groups say several people have already fronted up to the Registrar General's office.

One of those is Chris Healey, who says she is delighted she took the step with her partner.

"This is a recognition that we've been in a loving relationship for 23 years," she said.

Heidi Yates from lobby group Good Process says it is likely that many more same sex couples will follow.

"I imagine some couples will be waiting until they gather family and friends together," she said.

Couples will be also able to take part in a civil ceremony, but it will not be legally recognised after the Federal Government blocked the original legislation.

ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell is still smarting at that.

"The civil partnership scheme that commences today is not the complete scheme that the ACT is seeking," he said.

But he says he is still proud of the laws, calling them an important milestone for the ACT.

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Unfair tax on gays: activist
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Watered down same-sex laws pass in ACT
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Gay activist questions govt decision
The ACT government has been forced to abandon plans to legally recognise same-sex civil union ceremonies after the Rudd government refused to support the move, upsetting the Australian Coalition for Equality.

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There are concerns same sex couples could be financially worse off under the Federal Budget.

The gay and lesbian rights group, Coming Out Proud, says this year's budget treats all same sex couples as de facto relationships.

The group's Julian Punch says this will mean some couples could lose welfare benefits and be taxed on double incomes because their relationship is not recognised as having the same value as a marriage.

He wants the Federal Government to recognise same sex civil unions nationally to avoid tax discrimination.

"At the moment, currently and with the previous government, as facist as it was, our relationships were just in a no person zone, they weren't accepted they weren't recognised," he said.

"Now the government's going to recognise them for the purposes of tax accruements."

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Gay activist questions govt decision
The ACT government has been forced to abandon plans to legally recognise same-sex civil union ceremonies after the Rudd government refused to support the move, upsetting the Australian Coalition for Equality.

Watered down same-sex laws pass in ACT

Laws granting same-sex couples legal recognition passed the ACT Legislative Assembly Thursday night, but the territory government is still furious it was forced to water down its legislation.

"This is not the outcome the ACT government wanted," Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said during the late night debate.

The government had wanted to recognise gay marriage through same-sex civil union ceremonies but abandoned the plan after the federal Labor government said it would veto the move.

"It is a matter of embarrassment to me that my party did not stand up for this fundamental principle," Mr Stanhope said.

But the government said the fact same-sex couples could now register their relationship was still an historic moment.

Attorney-General Simon Corbell said he was very proud the legislation was passed by the assembly.

"Gay and lesbian couples in the ACT will now be able to affirm their relationship before friends and families and gain legal recognition of their partnership," he said.

Legal legitimacy would give same-sex couples increased access to superannuation, taxation and social security law reforms that heterosexual couples took for granted, Mr Corbell said.

"Although we have been unable to provide gay and lesbian couples the opportunity to affirm their relationship in a legally-recognised public ceremony, this is a historic moment on the inevitable path towards removing discrimination."

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Gay activist questions govt decision
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Gay activist questions govt decision

Opposing same-sex marriage is similar to supporting slavery or denying women the vote, a leading gay group says.

The ACT government has been forced to abandon plans to legally recognise same-sex civil union ceremonies after the Rudd government refused to support the move, upsetting the Australian Coalition for Equality.

"What's particularly disappointing is that the Rudd government refuses to give a proper explanation for its strident opposition to same-sex marriage except to say that traditionally marriage is between a man and a woman," spokesman Rodney Croome said.

"Well traditionally there was slavery and traditionally women didn't have the vote. But just because that was the tradition doesn't mean that change couldn't occur."

Mr Croome said slavery was abolished and women eventually achieved suffrage.

"Change did occur, we moved on from that," he said.

On Sunday, ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell condemned the federal government's stance, accusing it of resorting to "undemocratic nineteenth century colonial style power" to override legislation which had the clear support of the majority of the ACT Legislative Assembly.

But the Rudd government has received support from the Australian Christian Lobby.

Managing director Jim Wallace says the federal government is right to intervene for moral reasons.

"Marriage is between a man and a woman," Mr Wallace told ABC Radio.

"It's not for two per cent of the population to redefine a majority institution, particularly when it's so important an institution to a healthy society."

Massive crowds expected for Mardi Gras

Our Freedom Your Freedom

Organisers say tonight's gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney will be the biggest in the 30-year history of the event.

Almost 10,000 people will head up Oxford Street on 150 floats tonight, three decades after the original protest march for gay rights.

Organisers are expecting more than 300,000 people to watch tonight's parade.

The head of New Mardi Gras, Marcus Bourget, says a lot has been achieved since 1978.

"Mardi Gras has had its fair share of ups and downs so to achieve the 30th anniversary is a huge milestone for us," he said.

Mr Bourget says the modern Mardi Gras retains much of its original political message.

"Mardi Gras is all about the festival and it's all about telling Australia our stories, our lives, and showing Australia that our love is not a second class love and shouldn't be treated as such," he said.

"So it's all about compassion, understanding and acceptance, so I think they're universal values."

Among the marchers tonight will be gay and lesbian military personnel, who for the first time have the military approval to march.

Chief Petty Officer Stuart O'Brien will be one of them.

"I think it's an important step forward for the Defence Force in recognition of the wider community that we actually recruit from," he said.

Military Force

Hopefully the military and our political leaders will learn from their mistakes, change what they do, and start helping people instead of killing people. A Humanitarian Force can defend itself just as easily as a military force can. Australia should get out of Iraq and Afghanistan now. War is a deadly 'Meme' and one of the root causes of domestic violence.

But the best rule of thumb is to challenge these deadly Memes wherever you see them and not those who follow them....

STOP THE WAR, END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE , END PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT OF CHILDREN

Transport

CityRail is adding extra train services in and around the CBD to cope with the Mardi Gras crowds, with a direct shuttle between Bondi and Central from 6:00pm AEDT to 1:00am.

Museum Station on the city circle will be closed this evening between 6:00 and 10:00.

Sydney Buses will run extra services on major routes to and from the city from 4:00pm.

Politics and partying on Sydney's gayest

MARDI GRAS has put violence against gays and lesbians at the forefront of its political agenda, asking the two men who were bashed while walking hand-in-hand in Darlinghurst three months ago to lead tonight's 30th anniversary parade.While it will be, as always, a celebration of all things gay and lesbian, ongoing discrimination is never far from participants' minds, and community groups have warned the spike in homophobic violence that occurs during Mardi Gras will be as bad as ever this year.

Surry Hills police came under sustained criticism over their investigation of the violent crime - an internal investigation and a complaint to the NSW Ombudsman followed.

Meanwhile, in the Mardi Gras workshop in Rosebery, in homes citywide, and in the iconic House of Priscilla costume store on Oxford Street, final touches are being made to floats and outfits.