SP Newsletter No.369

On Saturday August 13 thousands of people rallied once more across Australia in support of same sex marriage rights. More than 2000 gathered in Melbourne with hundreds more protesting in Sydney, Adelaide and Perth.

Since 2001 ten countries have legalised same sex marriage. A number of US states have also made the move including New York in July this year. Shamefully, both the major parties in Australia still claim that marriage should only be between a man and a woman.

(more…)

SP Newsletter No.367

In recent years thousands of young people have taken to the streets demanding an end to the ban on same-sex marriage. But despite these protests same-sex marriage is still illegal in Australia. Politicians from both the major parties cynically continue to ignore majority opinion and court the conservative vote.

There is however a distinct feeling amongst activists that it is possible to win same-sex marriage rights. This optimism occasionally gives rise to the mistaken impression that LGBTI people simply have to wait for legislative change, that eventually politicians will see anti-homophobic reason. This is far from the truth. The only way to ensure a victory will be by escalating the campaign.

(more…)

Last month the Baillieu government passed a bill allowing employers to discriminate on the basis of sexuality, gender identity and marital status. The bill enables faith-based organisations to fire or refuse to hire gays, lesbians, transgender people and single parents. It also restricts the investigative powers of the Equal Opportunity Commissioner.

In a sign of the government’s arrogance, the Liberals broke with parliamentary precedent and re-sat the vote on the bill. On the first sitting the bill was lost after Liberal MP Mary Wooldridge outrageously missed the vote!

By Chris Dite, Socialist Party Melbourne

(more…)

SP Newsletter No.349

On Sunday February 6 thousands of people gathered in St Kilda to celebrate the annual Melbourne Pride March. The march highlighted the huge amount of support that exists for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community as well as issues such as same-sex marriage, adoption rights and general equality.

The event saw many different layers of society coming together to support LGBTI rights. These included political parties, students, entertainers and a range of community groups. The Socialist Party used the day to campaign for same-sex marriage rights and for an end to discrimination.

(more…)

SP Newsletter No.323

Several months ago the Socialist Party began a campaign to get Yarra City Council to stock books and magazines of interest to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community in its libraries.

Often the local library is the only safe space for young people who are coming out. At school and even in the home LGBTI youth can face bullying and social pressure to adhere to a so-called norm. The Socialist Party website reported in May that:

(more…)

SP Newsletter No.310

Young people in general already face high levels of discrimination in society. Youth unemployment remains high with some areas of Australia recording levels of more than 40 per cent!

If you can get a job you will most likely be paid only a portion of the minimum wage until you are 21. While you can work and pay taxes from the age of 15, you are not able to vote against the parties that implement these discriminatory laws until you are 18.

Young Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people not only have to deal with all this but they also face discrimination on the basis of their sexuality. Homophobic bullying in schools is a particularly big problem in Australia.

(more…)

Equal rights now!
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the New York Stonewall riots. Six days of protest that shook the world and brought on the beginnings of the modern gay rights movement.

By Corey Snoek, Socialist Party Melbourne

(more…)

Still an inspiration
Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in US politics, was brought to wide attention this year by the biopic Milk starring Sean Penn. This attention includes the belated DVD release of The Times of Harvey Milk, a 1984 documentary. Like the biopic it won an Oscar, in this case for best documentary.

Reviewed by Greg Randall, Socialist Party

(more…)

SP Newsletter No.199
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Sydney Mardis Gras as part of the international Gay Solidarity Celebrations, which grew as a result of the Stonewall riots in New York. (more…)

After many years of campaigning for the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people, there is still a long way to go for the community to achieve some of the recognition of heterosexual couples. Australia is one of the only western countries to have banned same-sex marriage. Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands to name a few have already implemented the legislation to make this possible.
By Denise Dudley, Socialist Party Melbourne (more…)