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Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Intersex (LGBTI)

Diversity of sexuality and gender identity is a part of our community, and our laws should reflect this.

The Greens have a strong track record of defending the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.

We believe all members of our community are entitled to equal treatment before the law and by the community.

Second Reading Speech: Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009

Speech | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young
Wednesday 24th June 2009, 5:33pm
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The Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009 will remove all discrimination from the Marriage Act 1961 on the basis of sexuality and gender identity, to permit marriage regardless of sex, sexuality and gender identity.

The Australian Greens believe that discrimination such as that espoused by the  current Marriage Act 1961 must be overturned to ensure that freedom of sexuality and gender identity are recognised as fundamental human rights, and that acceptance and celebration of diversity are essential components for genuine social justice and equality to exist.

Only last week, a new poll, commissioned by Australian Marriage Equality, and conducted by Galaxy, highlighted that  three in five Australians are in support of the right of same-sex couples to marry, with 58 per cent arguing that  Australian law should recognise same-sex marriages that are legal in other countries.

Surely the argument espoused by many that marriage equality does not have the support of the majority of Australian’s is now redundant.  

It is clear that it is time for the federal parliament to catch up with public opinion and move to make same-sex marriage legal.

Greens introduce equal marriage bill

Media Release | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young
Wednesday 24th June 2009, 12:11pm
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Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will today introduce a private member’s bill to grant same-sex couples equal marriage rights in Australia, and table along with it a 30,000-strong petition in support of legalising same-sex marriage.

The Marriage Act was amended under the Howard Government in 2004 to specify that marriage could be only a union between a man and a woman. Results of a Galaxy poll commissioned by Australian Marriage Equality released last week showed 60 per cent of Australians agree that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry in Australia.

“The Greens’ Marriage Equality Amendment Bill can bring Australia into the league of other forward-thinking nations who recognise that all couples should enjoy the right to marry,” said Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on sexuality and gender identity.

Poll backs same-sex marriage

Newsflash | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young
Thursday 18th June 2009, 11:35am
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View this item

Greens welcome new poll showing majority of Australians support same-sex marriage

Media Release | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young
Tuesday 16th June 2009, 11:13am
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The Greens have welcomed the results of a new poll showing three in five Australians support the right of same-sex couples to marry, saying the federal parliament must catch up with public opinion and move to make same-sex marriage legal.

The poll, commissioned by Australian Marriage Equality and conducted by Galaxy, found that 60 per cent of Australians believe that same-sex couples should be able to marry in Australia, and that 58 per cent believe that Australian law should recognise same-sex marriages that are legal in other countries.

“The Greens welcome this poll as proof that the community are streets ahead of the parliament in recognising the rights of same-sex couples to marry,” said Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for Sexuality and Gender Identity.

Greens welcome growing same-sex recognition in workplace

Media Release | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young
Thursday 2nd April 2009, 10:46am
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Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has congratulated Westpac on recognising its employees’ same-sex marriages, saying that the Federal Government should follow suit.

Westpac has joined a number of companies including Telstra, the Commonwealth Bank, Qantas, IBM and Seek that recognise same-sex relationships and extend benefits and entitlements to all employees regardless of their partner’s gender.

“Congratulations to Westpac for joining the growing list of forward-thinking companies in regard to the rights of same-sex couples,” said Senator Hanson-Young.

LGBTI: Impact of same-sex law reforms on the gay and lesbian community

Motion | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young
Thursday 19th March 2009, 12:19pm
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That the Senate

(a) notes:
(i) the appreciation of the Gay and Lesbian community of the recent passing of the same-sex law reforms;

(b) recognises:
(i) concerns raised by the Gay and Lesbian community that isolated and vulnerable members of the community may only become aware of these reforms after 30 March when Centrelink’s education campaign commences; and
(ii) that the arbitrary timeframe will not allow for same-sex couples to adequately adjust to the removal of discrimination before incurring debt and penalties;

(c) Calls on the Government to revisit the implementation of a 12 month transitional period, to ensure individuals currently on a social security payment, have sufficient time to readjust to the changes.

LGBTI: Sex and gender diversity project by the Australian Human Rights Commission

Motion | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young
Wednesday 18th March 2009, 3:55pm
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That the Senate

(a) notes that:
(i) the release of the Australian Human Rights Commission concluding paper on the sex and gender diversity project;
(ii) this “sex files” project focuses on the legal recognition of sex as a fundamental human right, in all documents and government records.

(b) recognises:
(i) the great work of the Australian Human Rights Commission in highlighting ways the Australian Government could better assist in promoting and protecting the human rights of people who are transgender, transsexual or intersex;

(c) encourages the Australian Government to take steps to harmonise federal, state and territory policies, procedures and legislation relevant to the legal recognition of sex in federal documents and records.

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