The Queer Avengers support marriage equality, call for a struggle “beyond marriage”

The Queer Avengers support the bill for marriage and adoption equality. One of two bills in the ballot, Louisa Wall’s bill was drawn on the 27th of July. The Queer Avengers say that there should be no legal distinction between same sex and different sex couples, but also call for better recognition of family structures which do not fall within the definition of marriage.

The Queer Avengers criticise MPs who do not prioritise equality. “Bill English says that equality is not a priority. Instead, National would like to focus on the important things, like making deals with casinos and scapegoating beneficiaries for the financial crisis,” argues Queer Avenger Ian Anderson. “This government is more interested in cutting back rights than extending them.”

Ian adds that equality is a matter of principle, not personal conscience. “If parties support the principle of equality, they should treat it as such. This is a basic civil rights issue. Conscience votes are a cop-out.”

The Queer Avengers stress that marriage equality is not the end of line for LGBT rights and that struggles beyond marriage lie ahead. Queer Avenger Sara Fraser notes that LGBT still face a number of obstacles – including queer youth bullying, suicide and homelessness; inadequate access to quality healthcare for trans* people; and common intimidation and violence in the streets.

She adds that there are many family structures which marriage and adoption law does not cover, for example polyamory and whangai adoption. “This is not the final struggle,” Sara concludes. “We’re looking ahead to the struggles beyond marriage.”

ENDS

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