Legalise same sex marriage now!
SP Newsletter No.301
In early February thousands of people took part in Melbourne’s annual Pride March. This march symbolises the efforts of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community and a movement that has struggled for decades to win sexual equality and challenge homophobia.
But why is it that despite widespread support for the LGBTI community the Rudd government forbids marriage between same sex couples? The answer lies in the fact that both Labor and the Liberals see the ‘nuclear family’ as the cornerstone of the capitalist system. Oppression based on sexuality also stems from the needs of the ruling class in society.
Rather than promoting harmony, rulers benefit from creating divisions. Throughout the history of capitalism workers of different races, religions and sexualities have been turned against each other by bosses and the state, preventing them from working together to win progressive reforms.
Much in the way that Howard used the refugee issue to create a fear campaign which ultimately won him the 2001 election, establishment parties around the world try to stir up fear and create divisions in society by promoting so-called ‘family values’, usually always at the expense of the rights of the LGBTI community.
In Australia civil unions between same sex couples are legal in Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT, but full marriage rights equal to those available to heterosexual couples are denied. Kevin Rudd’s claim that Australia is not ready for same sex marriage shows just how out of touch the Labor Party are with average Australians, as polls have shown that more than 60% of Australians support same sex marriage.
By denying same sex couples the right to marry, Kevin Rudd and the Labor Party are promoting homophobic ideas and legitimising the oppression of the LGBTI community. Despite the gains made by the LGBTI community, homophobia is still rife in society. The bashing of LGBTI people is still a common occurrence, and suicide rates amongst same sex attracted youth have been found to be six times higher than the average.
Many other countries around the world have legalised same sex marriage. These countries include Belgium, South Africa, Canada, Spain, The Netherlands, Sweden and Norway. Several states within the USA also allow same sex marriage, and important reforms such as the repeal of the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy, which prevented openly gay people from serving in the US military, are set to take place within the year. These victories, which have resulted from struggle, show that equal rights can be won.
The Socialist Party campaigns for same sex marriage and against all forms of oppression including homophobia. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or identity should be challenged at school, university and in workplaces. We call on trade unions and other progressive groups to support the campaign for same sex marriage. A mass campaign that includes workers and other people that are oppressed under capitalism is the best way to win equality for the LGBTI community.
Equal Love rally in Melbourne
Attend the Equal Love Rally in Melbourne this Saturday March 13.
Meet at 1pm outside the State Library, corner of Swanston and La Trobe Streets City.
Introduction to Marxism day school in Melbourne
This day school will be of interest to anyone who is interested in the ideas of Marxism.
It will be held from 1pm – 5pm on Saturday March 27 @ Trades Hall, corner of Lygon & Victoria Streets Carlton South. The agenda for the school is as follows:
Session 1: 1.00pm – 2.00pm
The method of Marxism – An introduction to dialectics and historical materialism
Session 2: 2.30pm – 3.30pm
What would socialism look like? What is democratic socialism and how would it work?
Session 3: 4.00pm – 5.00pm
How could a revolution happen in Australia? How mass movements can effect change
For more information or to request the prior reading contact 96399111.
Other upcoming SP meetings
The Melbourne Branch of the Socialist Party meets every Wednesday 7pm at Trades Hall on the corner of Lygon & Victoria Streets Carlton South. Upcoming meetings include:
17/3 – Fighting for GLBTI rights
24/3 – Sri Lanka after the Presidential election
31/3 – Indonesia: Lessons from the 98 uprising
For more information or for details of meetings in other parts of Australia contact our National Office on 03 9639 9111.
News links:
Kazakhstan: Three members of Socialist Resistance (CWI) beaten and arrested
Iceland: 93% say ‘No’ to bail-out for investors
Join the Socialist Party
If you agree with what you have read in our newsletter or on our website you should consider joining SP. The Socialist Party has branches in Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle and Perth as well as members and supporters in all other states.
We are involved in trade union work and student work. We also run community, anti-war and environmental campaigns. But most of all we want to build a party that will fight to get rid of the capitalist system, the system that is at the root of all of these problems. We fight for socialism - a system that will bring an end to wars, poverty and environmental destruction. To join SP contact our National Office on 03 9639 9111 and we will send you a membership application form.
Subscribe to ‘The Socialist’ newspaper!
Support the Socialist Party by subscribing to our monthly newspaper ‘The Socialist’. Subscription rates are only $10 per year or $20 solidarity price. You will receive 11 copies per year delivered to your door every month. You will also receive our email newsletter every week and you will know that you are supporting an organisation that is at the fore of fighting against the capitalist system. To subscribe to ‘The Socialist’ contact our National Office on 03 9639 9111 and we will send you a subscription form.
Socialist Party contact details
Melbourne: Phone Anthony on 0396399111.
Sydney: Phone Gary on 0297287727.
Newcastle: Phone Samantha on 0249681545.
Adelaide: Phone David on 0883441474.
Perth: Phone John on 0894020728.
Rest of Australia: Phone our National Office on 0396399111.
Rest of the world: Phone our International Office on ++ 44 20 8988 8760.
The Socialist Party is the Australian section of the Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI). The CWI is organised in over 40 countries across the world.
http://www.sp.org.au
http://www.socialistworld.net
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