It looked hopeful that Australia was going to become the 12th country to legally recognize same-sex marriage, but unfortunately, that dream was smashed down last night.
A marriage equality bill was defeated in the house of representatives, 98 to 42, and equality energy is now focused on the states, where several, including Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales, already have efforts in motion.
Supporters at the Gay Marriage Rights in Australia marches back in August.
“Now the federal parliament has effectively brushed the wishes of a majority of Australians aside, the states and territories will take the lead, making me confident we will see same sex marriages performed somewhere in Australia by the end of the year,” Australian Marriage Equality convener Alex Greenwich said.
Unfortunately, even with acknowledgement from the states, the lack of federal recognition prevents a marriage conducted in one state will not be recognized in those outside of it.
According to recent polls, the majority of Aussies are for same-sex marriage, but the Liberal Party-led conservative opposition coalition, and many in the ruling center-left Labor Party, are against it.
“I think at some future time our Parliament will catch up with community opinion, just as it has on other issues,” senior government minister Anthony Albanese told reporters after the vote. “When marriage equality occurs, people will wonder what the fuss was about.”
Photo: samesame.au
