Love is love... if only Government agreed...

You know I've blogged about marriage equality in the past, so my feelings on the subject are no secret. My tweep @jonquil_w has sent a submission to the Parliament Marriage Equality Survey and I offered to share it here.

I don't talk about marriage equality much, because I think it is something that should exist without ideological or religious debate, but I felt I had to submit this and I want it on record as my stance. 

[Reasons for supporting Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2012 and the Marriage Amendment Bill 2012.]

Recognising a domestic relationship in law by means of marriage is an issue of governance and attribution of legal rights and responsibilities. Such attribution must be based on the existence of the relationship, not any ingredients of it, the substance of which do not effect the consensual basis of the union. We have no more reason to deny marriage to same sex couples than we do to any person of any gender, race or religion. It is not a matter for competing ideologies, but of a common, basic ideology that favours human rights and access to legal protections above all else.

Our current system forces same sex couples to live as de facto couples. The right to live, but not to be recognised or protected, even if they should choose to be so recognised and protected. Having to argue for the recognition of what already exists de facto - in fact - is fundamentally inequitable of itself. A society does not deign to afford people rights as though they were privileges; it grants rights on the understanding and sorrow that they have not been granted to date and should have. Please, can Australia afford everyone this respect and end discrimination.

You can participate in the survey until 20 April, 2012. Let's make a lot of noise and try to get relevant ignorant politicians to see sense!

 

I love equal love!

You'll notice a new button on the right bar of my blog. It was created by the lovely Bianca at Big Words to show support for marriage equality. Instead of paraphrasing what she said, or writing my own version of the same, I will copy her brief post here.

The Right for Equal Love

Apparently, I am in a "normal" relationship and because of that I am afforded the right to be married. I have a husband, three gorgeous girls and we even have a white picket fence. I didn't have to fight for my right to marry. I didn't have to march the streets pleading my case for protection and recognition under the law. We stood in an olive grove in front of our loved ones and were married by a celebrant. We are now legally bound to not have as much sex as before, argue about finances and have stretches of silence between us like other married couples. I simply can't understand why people from same sex relationships don't have the same legal rights. Why can't they stand in front of their most dearest and be legally bound together in love? Their love is as strong as heterosexual couples. Love is love is love. I could write forever on the subject of equality. It's time Australia gets with the program. It's time Australia recognises, rejoices and supports marriage equality. Equal love for all.

So, in my own small way I wanted to show my support. I made an "I Love Equal Love" button for my blog. If you feel the same, I'd love for you to grab it and pop it on your blog too (you can find it on my sidebar). We have a strong voice us bloggers - let's use it! Equal love for all. xx

 If you'd like to show your support too, head to Bianca's blog and grab the button for yourself.