ILGA Oceania Media Statement: ILGA Oceania Responds to Marriage Equality Announcement - 15 November 2017.
ILGA Oceania represents Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex organisations in New Zealand, Australia and the
Pacific.
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Australian citizens have voted overwhelmingly for Marriage Equality in a Postal plebiscite.
Like the skywriting that just disappeared into the ether, guess what? The No campaign lost the survey! 61% to 38% with
1% other and voile! No one died, The heavens did not open up and swallow LGBTIQ people. No brimstone and showers of
fire, we still carry on with our day.
Ymania Brown-Gabriel, ILGA Co-Convenor based in Australia, said “It is now time to help pass Senator Smith's bill the
‘Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017’. Why? No one is trying to take away rights. The
Ministers of religion and Celebrants still have the right to object and refuse LGBTI weddings in your church if they
feel so compelled”.
Brown-Gabriel continued saying that “Today is a historical day for ALL Australians. There is no hate and exclusion from
the YES Campaign. There is no bigotry and discrimination from LGBTIQ Australians. There is just nothing but love for ALL
Australians, to live harmoniously in a truly FREE and EQUAL Australia”.
Rawa Karetai, ILGA Oceania Co-Convenor and former campaigner for Marriage Equality in New Zealand welcomed the news
saying that “It is great to see Australians vote overwhelmingly for Marriage Equality”.
Karetai Continued saying that, “The postal plebiscite has been an expensive exercise at an estimated to cost 'up to
$122m' to only reflect what the polls were already telling us. It is now time for the Government to step up and pass
legislation rather than dragging their feet”.
ILGA Oceania represents Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex organisations in New Zealand, Australia and the
Pacific.
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