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 The Australian Coalition for Equality (ACE) is calling for all members of LGBTI communities to make a submission to the current Senate inquiries into the rights of same-sex couples.
ACE Spokesperson Corey Irlam said, "We urge the LGBTI community to mobilise, be loud and vocal by making a personal submission to the Senate inquiries, to prevent a watered down version of equality."
There are currently three inquiries: same-sex superannuation entitlements, access to the Family Court, and new rules for giving evidence in court.
While the government proposes including gay and lesbian couples as de facto partners in federal legislation, the Coalition has called for other "interdependent" relationships to be recognised.
"While we support the recognition of such couples, in principle, we oppose same-sex couples being mischaracterised as interdependents," Irlam said.
ACE believed that by equating same-sex couples with other forms of relationship, the law would "inscribe a second-class status for de facto and registered relationships."
"Individual LGBTI people can contribute to ending discrimination by taking five minutes out of their lives to send in a submission," Irlam said. "Personal stories may be added to a sample submission that can be downloaded from www.coalitionforequality.org.au."
SA's Same-Sex Relationships Bill was compromised in 2006 when Family First and a few Liberal MPs suggested the bill was "discriminatory" because it did not encompass other domestic relationships. The Bill was then changed to the Domestic Partners Bill, incorporating the changes they had advocated. Family First's Dennis Hood and Andrew Evans voted against the Bill
photo: Aust Govt
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