Rudd challenged to end gay marriage discrimination
By Dave Riley,
“Kevin
Rudd should immediately end the ALP’s policy of discrimination against
gay and lesbians by reversing its opposition to same-sex marriage,” Jim
McIlroy, Socialist Alliance candidate for the federal seat of Griffith,
held by the Labor leader, said today.
“This is a basic issue of
human and democratic rights. It shouldn´t matter what sex people are if
they wish to legalise their relationship, as their own choice. To
insist that marriage is a heterosexual institution, in practice, merely
reinforces the function of the family as a vehicle for oppressing women
and keeping them tied to their traditional role as housewives and
mothers.
“Adoption should also be based on equality. It
shouldn´t matter if couples are gay, lesbian or heterosexual. Their
right to adopt children should be judged on their ability to provide
love and care for them – not on their sexual preference.
“Kevin
Rudd should now end the bipartisan policy of Labor and Liberal on
banning same sex marriage, and commit to amending the Marriage Act to
permit gay marriage, if the ALP is elected to government on November
24,” McIlroy said.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PHONE JIM MCILROY ON 3254 0298 OR PAUL BENEDEK ON 0410 629 088.