ACOSS urges gov to vote yes

ACOSS urges the Australian Parliament to deliver a free vote on marriage equality and to vote yes. ACOSS also applauds all those across Australian society who continue to campaign for marriage equality through a parliamentary vote.
Cassandra Goldie, ACOSS CEO, said, “Each day, people directly affected by the denial of the human right to marry the person you love, are forced to keep sharing their intimate stories of pain, distress, love and hope. We will continue to do so as we build the unstoppable force for change.”
“Staff in our own organisation, Board members and across our membership are directly affected. As an individual and through my family and friends, I am directly affected. We thank the tireless efforts of the groundswell of politicians and people campaigning in support of this essential change. Across Australia, people campaigning for marriage equality through a parliamentary vote are acting in love and support for their mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, children, friends, neighbours, communities and the decency of Australian society,” said Goldie.
ACOSS applauds all those working to finally deliver marriage equality for Australia.
“The facts are that, as long as loving same sex relationships are invalidated through the failure to recognise marriage equality, those of us affected remain virtual second class citizens. As long as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people continue to suffer discrimination in the workplace, in our schools and in the streets through bullying, harassment and violence, those affected remain on the margins of society,” she said.
“As long as our diverse community continues to experience higher rates of suicide, elevated rates of mental health issues and poorer health outcomes, we will be prevented from reaching our full potential as individuals and as a society.
“The time for change is now. A vote in the Australian Parliament for marriage equality is the only way.”