[Greens-Media] Same Sex Marriage survey an opportunity for Labor to cast off its homophobia

[Kristian Bolwell]

Media Release 9 August 2005 

Same Sex Marriage survey an opportunity for Labor to cast off its homophobia 

The new Iemma Government should sponsor a community survey to gauge the level of support for same sex marriage rights in NSW after a survey in Victoria revealed 98% of respondents supported legal recognition for same sex relationships, Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today.

I was heartened to see that the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights lobby has taken the initiative by conducting this survey and even more pleased that such a high proportion of respondents supported same sex marriage rights, Ms Rhiannon said. 

The survey should come as a lightning bolt to the Iemma Government. NSW is lagging behind community expectations when it comes to same sex relationship rights. 

Saturdays same sex marriage rally in Taylor square would be the perfect occasion for the Premier to announce a widespread survey of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community.

Its not surprising that such a high proportion of the LGBTI people support same sex relationships, after all its exactly what everybody else is entitled to. 

The Greens have been pressuring the Attorney General to commit to a Parliamentary Inquiry into same sex marriage for months now, without a response. I hope this survey provides an incentive to the NSW Government to stop dragging the chain.

As part of Premier Iemmas fresh start, he should put same sex relationship on top of the Governments agenda, Ms Rhiannon said. 

For more information Kristian Bolwell 92303551, 0411638320

NB the survey is available at www.vglrl.org.au/ 






Kristian Bolwell
Adviser to NSW 
Greens MLC 
Lee Rhiannon
tel: 02 9230 3551
fax: 02 9230 3550
www.lee.greens.org.au