Tasmanian Labor Conference Supports Marriage Equality 7 Aug 2011

Text of resolution: This conference calls upon the ALP National Conference to amend the platform to support the legal right of all adult couples in Australia to be married if the they so choose, and for that marriage to be registered by law in Australia, regardless of the sexual orientation, or gender of the parties to the marriage.

This conference acknowledges that civil unions of same-sex couples do not deliver the same legal security and social recognition as marriage, and believes that schemes that are separate from marriage makes the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and the intersex community second-class citizens.

Furthermore, we call on all delegates at the national ALP conference to vote in favour of marriage equality. 

GLWA Fundraiser 12 August 2011

www.glwa.org.au The Doctor's Wife fundraiser Palace Centro, Fortitude Valley #lgbt

Cairns Tropical Pride 2011

Cairns Tropical Pride Festival August 2011 #lgbt http://cairnstropicalpride.com.au/

Aged Care for LGBTI people in Qld

Care Connect http://careconnect.org.au/ announces an Australian first - aged care packages for LGBTI adults in south east Queensland.

Tasmanian Labor Supports Same Sex Adoption

TASMANIAN GAY AND LESBIAN RIGHTS GROUP
Media Release

Saturday August 6th 2011

LABOR CONFERENCE SUPPORT FOR SAME-SEX ADOPTION WELCOMED


CALL ON TAS GOV TO ACT SWIFTLY ON ADOPTION EQUALITY

Tasmanian gay activists have welcomed the State Labor Conference's support for same-sex adoption. The motion in favour of equal adoption laws was passed late this afternoon by a significant majority.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, called on the State Government to act swiftly on the Labor motion by introducing legislation to allow same-sex couples to adopt.

"Tasmania's unequal adoption laws send the message that same-sex parents and their families are second-rate", Mr Croome said.
"They also prevent same-sex adoption when it is in the best interests of the child, including where a child is being fostered by a same-sex couple."

Since 2003 step-parent adoption has been available to same-sex couples in Tasmania, but they are barred from adopting children relinquished by other people.

Only one or two Tasmanian children a year require adoption by non-related couples, but same-sex couples are permitted to foster and there are instances where the foster child would benefit from adoption by his or her same-sex foster parents.

Earlier this year the Tasmanian Government moved to legalise altruistic surrogacy arrangements, including those involving same-sex couples.
The State Labor Conference is expected to debate a motion in support of same-sex marriage tomorrow.

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0499 010 668.