Questioning Values Via Video

I understand that I have been slack recently but have been inundated with work 'stuff' and uni 'stuff' and everything in-between(I know...I know this is no excuse...and will make up for it chronically).

However, on a different note, and in the context of this blog funnily enough, I recently found this video on YouTube which essentially sums up the discrimination, and for me: puts what I am doing back into perspective and how big the problem ultimately still is:

They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself Andy Warhol

Indeed, this is too true...

Human Rights Commissioner in on changing the Acts

Human Rights Commissioner Graeme Innes has increased pressure on the federal government for equality for same sex couples and their children. He is, thankfully, encouraging the government to move on the legislation this year :)

As he suggests in the Australian article: Govt urged to act on same-sex discrimination :

"It's unfair to have any section in the community which is discriminated against in this way and there's no reason why it can't be done this year.

"Same-sex couples aren't looking for anything special in this legislation, they're just looking for equality."

Does that ring a bell I hear you say....exactly just what this blog is arguing for: E-Q-U-A-L-I-T-Y :)

Above: Hope for equality amidst the barriers

Urban Hope by piccadillywilson

Larger numbers are NOT necessarily better

In all the spirit and celebration of the 30th celebration of Sydney Mardi Gras, which contained 10000 people, 150 floats amd more glitter than you can get your hands on -- it turns out, unfortunately, that we still have a long way to go.

It was revealed on Sunday, in the Australian article 100 laws ignore same-sex couples : that after an audit by the attorney general 100 laws(NOT ONLY 58 as suggested by the HREOC enquiry) were found to ignore and discriminate against gay couples.

The negative stigmas that this creates for single gay persons and their families, and the families of gay couples is unfortunately too obvious....

• BUT the Attorney-General Robert McClelland has said that he will announce much of the reform package, to eliminate many of these discriminations, in the May budget. Although note that there has been no pre-determined decision on the amount of altered legislation. So that means that we may have to wait a long time to see all 100 laws altered: See more: LABOR: NO PROMISE TO DO 58 IN 08 .
• Further, unfortunately, it is also evident that the Rudd government does not support civil unions but only supports relationship registers...which, whilst not terrible, it is still NOT EQUAL TREATMENT....2 steps forward and one backwards it would seem....
• However on a happier note: The Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby sent 460 personal letters to the attorney general regarding individual discrimination and support for equality -- which was mentioned in last weeks post. Which is an awesome amount of support over such a short period of time!!!

ABOVE: AWESOME Image from one of the floats at Mardi Gras: hellofish@flickr

58'08

GLRL have got together and created 58/08. What is it? It is a simplification of the 58 Australian laws that discriminate against same sex couples and their children-and how to take action to make Australia more equal....


It is precisely the same laws that my first post of this blog summarized last year, July 2007. How disappointing that GLRL should have to put this website together at all.......nothing has changed in over 6 months :(


HOWEVER what this website does is that it is making a stand and shouting out to the new Rudd government: "NO MORE of this blatant inequality!!!!"

The concept is about taking proactive steps through filling out a personalize-able letter and letting the Attorney-General The Hon Robert McClelland MP know how you feel!!!

Demand equality for same-sex couples and their children:
'Can you justify inequality Rob??'

Whether it affects you directly or indirectly it is about taking a stand and thinking about the future and how equal we all want Australia to be.....

ABOVE: GLRL'S NEW SLOGAN FOR REDUCING SAME SEX FAMILY INEQUALITY : http://www.glrl.org.au/58/index.html

The Prime Ministers Pickle...

It looks Rudd is in a bit of a pickle at the moment, but don't worry that pickle is still hot, green and juicy and very very ripe. What I mean is that, this pickle is representative of a very exciting moment for the same sex equality rights agenda - what we are seeing occurring at the moment, as The Australian puts it, is:

"...one of the most contentious social policy debates since Roe v Wade, the landmark US Supreme Court ruling that legalised abortion." Which is HUGE for (potential) Australian Equality and puts much pressure on the PM to make future altering decisions!!!

...the social policy debate issue centres around The ACT Governments Civil Partnerships Bill : The wonderful piece of legislation that, in a manner of screaming happily but completely uncontrollably, has potential to give legal recognition to same-sex relationships(YAY).

Read More : "I do, more or less" :

GREAT READING FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS MISSED THE PAST MONTH OF NEWS ON THE QUEST FOR SAME SEX EQUALITY

(Oh, sorry....I just realised that read like a voice over on a cheap video game: the epic quest....the battle...the journey...(Its all out of my system now!!-Even if all of these words and phrases are relevant to the plight for equality).

...Back to the 'plight'(lol)....Although Rudd has indicated Labor does not allow plans for marriage in a bid to secure and maintain the christian vote (which I have to admit is still a wee bit disappointing-See: "No Plans to allow gay marriage"), he has indicated, to date, that a national relationships register is a positive and productive way to formally recognise same-sex relationships!!! - See "Labor to introduce gay couple register".

Both articles also report that secret plans are in the works to allow civil unions--one can only hope. It is disappointing enough that loving same sex relationships are placed on the same level as carers and others in dependent relationships (the idea, according to Labor, is to trial a national model, modelled after The Tasmanian relationship register, for gay and de facto heterosexual couples)....just to use as added proof of entitlements(although disappointing it is a step in the right direction....).

However the Australian Christian Lobby has accepted this but remains concerned(HA! Poor things concern is best placed elsewhere!)...about potential redefinition of words such as "de facto" or "family" that might result from future changes to legislation.

(Jumping on the high horse).

As a gay christian I am disappointed, I have and know many loving families that come in all shapes and sizes and family is a contextual term that the christian party and some in society believe have some right to trademark according to their belief.....What this does is decide that some people in society should be left out or excluded from being a family or are not worthy of being called a loving 'family.' This then excludes them further by being outside 'social norms', established in politics, pushing them and their families further away into inequality - I think someone, somewhere along the way, missed the boat actually...this is surely NOT what God would have wanted......)

(Jumping back off the horse-still not happy though!!)

But moving right along(I might not finish this post otherwise).....On a happier note(and finishing on a rant in the spirit of a Christian holiday tradition) this is the last post, pre Xmas(unless those secret plans come to light then I will be back typing furiously :).....

Have a Merry Xmas all!!!(I love this pics they are sooo cute!!!) Belief is a big part of Xmas, and so it is a HUGE part of change.

Above: Both by Powerbooktrance @ Flickr