Civil Unions and Marriage Equality Needed: Rainbow Labor NSW Media Release

Convenor of Rainbow Labor NSW, Michael Vaughan, has welcomed continuing calls for full marriage equality.

Mr Vaughan said Rainbow Labor has proudly backed full marriage equality for many years.

“Full equality means equality in marriage. But full marriage equality and civil unions are not mutually exclusive,” he said. “We also need a secular civil unions scheme with is founded on equality between sexes and sexual orientations,” said Mr Vaughan. “The number of straight and same-sex couples which have taken up the scheme in New Zealand is proof marriage isn’t the whole picture.

“The piecemeal implementation of state based registers, combined with the lack of statutory ceremonies, demonstrates the need for a strong national civil unions system.

“Within the ALP, Rainbow Labor NSW plays an integral part in the push for full same-sex relationship equality.

“Rainbow Labor NSW will continue to call for full marriage equality, along with many other organisations in the community,” he said. In the last twelve months, Rainbow Labor NSW has:

• Had its position on marriage equality adopted by NSW Young Labor;
• Called for marriage equality at a function co-hosted with the federal Attorney-General; and
• Marched in the Mardi Gras Parade under the slogan “The Next Step – Down the Aisle"