Equality Bulletin #62

This Equality Bulletin was issued by the TGLRG on 10.8.06.

Hi Everyone,

In this Equality Bulletin there is information about the National Day of Action on marriage equality and the legal recognition of same-sex relationships this coming weekend, a call to action over the Federal Government‚s same-sex couple overseas adoption legislation, and a notice about a new information service for gay dads in Victoria.

Rodney Croome
0409 010 668

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National Day of Action
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The second anniversary of the ban on the recognition of same-sex marriage in federal law will be commemorated this weekend in a number of centres across the country.

The list of events is included below and can also be found at http://www.caah.org/nda/2006/

For more information about the Tasmanian event visit http://tglrg.org/more/211_0_1_0_M/

If you'd like to help organise the Victorian event, attend a special meeting this evening (Thursday, 10.8.06) from 6:45pm at the British Crown Hotel, 14-18 Smith St, Collingwood. Call 0422 913 942 for more details.

ACT
Canberra: 12.30pm [Sunday 13 August 2006] "Equal Love Rights" same sex marriage National Day of Action, Garema Place, Civil Union Defence Committee, Morgan Fury 0417 257 285 or Amy 0413 092 883.

NSW
Sydney: 1pm [Sunday 13, August 2006] Taylor Square with marriage ceremony Hyde Park North. Reception at Kinselas. Simon Margan 0438 637 037
Blue Mountains: Protest and Commitment Ceremonies [Saturday 12, August 2006] and contingent to travel down to the Sydney Rally [Sunday 13, August 2006]. Bryn Hutchinson 0407 494 022
Lismore: 12:30pm [Sunday, 13 August 2006] Sphinx Park with mass wedding. Reception at Winsome. Ben 0438 211 520
Wagga and Dubbo: Protest [Saturday, 12 August 2006] and contingent to travel down to the Sydney Rally [Sunday 13 August 2006]. Alex Day 0439 730 414

Qld
Brisbane: 12:30pm [Sunday, 13 August 2006] The Power House at New Farm. Picnic and car procession through Brisbane. Sharon Dane 0403 895 268

SA
Adelaide: 1pm [Sunday 13 August 2006] Parliament House. Mel 0437 528 650

Tas
Hobart: 11:00am [Saturday 12 August 2006] Salamanca Markets, Signing a giant anniversary card. Martine Delaney 0417 530 621

Vic
Melbourne: 12:30pm [Sunday, 13 August 2006] with MidWinta vows at Parliament House Spring Street. Reception at CBD venue. John Kloprogge 0422 913 942

WA
Perth: 12:30pm [Sunday 13 August 2006] Northbridge, Marshalling between Alexander Library and Art Gallery in Perth Cultural Centre. Rod Swift 0417 890 111

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Same-sex couple overseas adoption
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The Federal Government has announced it will soon re-introduce legislation blocking the legal recognition in Australian law of same-sex couple overseas adoptions. Currently, no country with which Australia has adoption protocols allows same-sex couple adoption, but this may change at any time.

Please write to your local Federal Liberal or National Party MP expressing your concern that this legislation.

Objections to the legislation include that it

~ sends out the message that same-sex couples are poor parents
~ re-inforces stigma and discrimination against same-sex couples, their families and especially their children
~ interferes with the rights of states and territories to recognise adoptions by same-sex couples
~ potentially deprives disadvantaged children from overseas of a loving, caring family life in Australia
~ is disrespectful to those countries which may allow same-sex overseas adoption in the future.

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Gay dads in Victoria
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A new support and information website has been established for gay fathers in Victoria. It‚s address is http://www.gaydadsvic.com