We recognise the right of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) volunteers and members, and members of the wider community, to live and work free of prejudice and discrimination. This includes the right to marry the partner of their choice. Some members of our community may prefer that we remain silent on the issue of Marriage Equality. But the fact is if we remained silent we would be failing our LGBTI volunteers and members, and members of the wider community, not to mention the members who have a LGBTI brother, sister, colleague, neighbour or friend.
Australians are increasingly supportive of marriage equality, with a recent Crosby Textor survey showing seventy-two percent believe same sex couples should be allowed to marry. We agree. Of the remaining twenty-eight percent, only fourteen percent strongly opposed the proposition.
Globally, over twenty countries have passed laws to allow same sex marriage, including countries that are culturally similar to ours – like New Zealand, the United States of America, Canada, and Great Britain. These countries did so with lower support for marriage equality than Australia is seeing right now.
On May 22nd 2015, the Republic of Ireland held a referendum to sanction same sex marriage. A Yes vote was supported by the Government, all major political parties and the voters themselves. On June 26th 2015, the U.S. Supreme court returned a judgement in favour of legalising same sex marriage across all 50 states. These two events see Australia isolated among countries where English is the main language.
We’re standing for marriage equality not just because our ethics dictate it, but because it is the right thing to do. We want to ensure there is a safe place for our LGBTI volunteers, members, and wider community.
If you, or someone you know, needs support:
Adults can contact…
QLife
https://qlife.org.au/
Phone 1800 184 527 from 3:00pm to midnight in your state, around Australia, every day.
or
LifeLine
https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Phone 13 11 14
Children and teenagers can contact…
Twenty10
www.Twenty10.org.au
Metro Support: 02 8594 9555
Rural freecall: 1800 65 2010
or
KidsHelpLine
https://kidshelpline.com.au/
For anyone 25 or under
1800 55 1800
If you wish to make comment or provide feedback, please contact PAN directly.
Wear your support. See our items for sale on Redbubble.