Tasmanian Marriage Equality vote will send "message of hope" - call on other states to follow Tasmania's lead
21 Sep 2011
Equality advocates have hailed today's vote in favour of marriage equality in the Tasmanian Lower House.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Alex Greenwich, said the vote will send a powerful message to the rest of the nation.
"Today's vote sends a compelling message to the Federal Government that it's time for all Australian couples to have legal equality", Mr Greenwich said.
"It also sends a message of hope to same-sex couples and their families that equality is coming and it is unstoppable."
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, called on other state parliaments to follow Tasmania's lead.
"If every state and territory parliament were to do what we have seen in Tasmania today it would be impossible for the federal parliament to continue to resist change."
"If Tasmania can do this the other states and territories can do it too."
"Some people think it's remarkable that the last state to decriminalise homosexuality is now the state leading on full equality for same-sex couples but it makes perfect sense to me because Tasmanians remember the damage done by discrimination and prejudice and want to see everyone treated equally."
A fact sheet on marriage equality in Tasmania and nationally is attached.
