[Greens-Media] George Williams to address forum for State-based Same-Sex Marriage Bill during Mental Health Week

[Walker, Nadine]

George Williams to address forum for State-based Same-Sex Marriage Bill during Mental Health Week
Media statement, Tuesday 7 October 2014

Lawmakers and lawyers will join with the LGBTIQ community and their friends and family tonight at a much-anticipated booked out forum as part of Mental Health Week that examines the constitutionality of Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren's Same-Sex Marriage Bill 2013. 

The forum, co-hosted by Ms MacLaren and the Murdoch School of Law, will invite questions from lawmakers, lawyers, lesbian and gay couples, their friends and family about how we can adopt new laws for marriage equality.

"Participants will have a rare opportunity to hear from nationally respected NSW-based constitutional lawyer - Professor George Williams - who will discuss how my Same-Sex Marriage Bill can work at a state level.

The Bill has been shaped by constitutional experts (including Professor Williams) to work successfully at a State level and to resist a High Court challenge based on lessons learned from the ACT.

Professor Williams will explain how Ms MacLaren's bill, if passed, would work alongside the Federal Marriage Act. 

"There is evidence to suggest that the inability to marry is directly connected with psychological harm by exacerbating stigma and confirming negative beliefs. Refusing to validate relationships adds another challenge to couples who experience discrimination on a daily basis. 

"Evidence suggests that allowing same-sex couple to marry improves mental health outcomes. Marginalisation of the LGBTI community is simply inflating mental health issues. We can do something about that right now.

"Similar legislation passed in countries around the world has created only positive results - a sense of equality can improve mental health outcomes, and not to mention a boost in economy for the wedding industry! We have nothing to lose when it comes to legislating for same-sex marriage in WA, especially once lawmakers learn it is constitutional."

Note to editor: Journalists are welcome to attend the forum tonight, 6:30pm @ Murdoch School of Law. Questions will be taken from journalists afterwards. Tickets have booked out so please email Nadine Walker: nadine.walker at mp.wa.gov.au to be added to the list. 

For comment: Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC
Mobile 0403 721 951

Media liaison: Nadine Walker
Mobile 0449 189 195