Jonathan Strauss, Sydney
Discussion at the Marrickville Socialist Alliance's July 25 Politics in the Pub probed the significance of the demand for same-sex marriage rights.
Rodney Croome, a spokesperson for the Equal Rights Network, and Bernard Ryan, until recently a committee member of NSW's Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL), both discussed the reasons why they were now, after previous indifference or opposition, supporting the right for same-sex marriage. Ryan pointed out that it was a demand to be considered equal before the law.
Kylie Moon, lead NSW Senate candidate for the Socialist Alliance, highlighted the role of a conservative wing in the Liberal Party, which seeks to force reliance on the family for social security as the Coalition government cuts welfare, in pushing for discriminatory laws such as the explicit prohibition of same-sex marriage.
Moon also said federal ALP promises of significant changes to these laws must be weighed against the experience of inaction by Labor governments in all states. She argued for political action that is independent of the main parties and unites all those willing to stand against governments' reactionary stances or inaction.
Croome said the situation "couldn't be [any] worse", but a positive campaign for equality in marriage rights could win significantly broader community support and could even win the overall debate. This campaign was, he argued, strategically important because it would carry with it many other issues of discrimination.
Much of the discussion considered the character and role of the GLRL, which has placed a low priority on the demand for same-sex marriage rights.
From Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly, August 4, 2004.
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