Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Friday, November 18, 2011
Polygamy Marriages Performed Overseas Are Recognised under the Australian Marriage Act.
Polygamous marriages may not be performed in Australia, and the practice of polygamy is prohibited in the country. A person who marries another person, knowing that the previous marriage is still subsisting, commits an offence of bigamy under sect 94 of the Marriage Act 1961, which carries a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment, and the second marriage is void.[2]
However, much like the situation in the United Kingdom, polygamous marriages conducted in jurisdictions that legally recognize and perform such unions may be legally valid in Australia for some purposes. While the extent of benefits granted to a foreign polygamous marriage are unclear, benefits such as welfare are legally granted to each spouse and their children. In addition, the polygamous marriage is recognized for the purpose of a spouse having access to the Family Court for divorce, property settlement and children issues.
However same sex marriages performed overseas are NOT recognised in anyway shape or form under Australian law, the Australian Government also bans the issuing of CNI’s (Certificate of Non Impediment) to same sex couples wanting to marry overseas, some nations will refuse to marry any couple without this certificate. Not only does the Australian Government stop same sex couples marrying in their own country, they are also trying to stop them from marrying overseas. Shame on any Government that discriminates against its own citizens solely based of their sexuality it’s a disgrace.
Sign and share the GetUp Marriage Equality Petition to be delivered to Julia Gillard at the National ALP Conference http://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/marriage-equality/petition/sign-and-share
Email the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Demand Equality! http://www.pm.gov.au/contact-your-pm
Monday, October 31, 2011
Uganda fury at PM David Cameron aid threat over gay rights
The UK is showing a "bullying mentality" by threatening to cut aid to countries where homosexuality is illegal, a Ugandan official says.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron said at the weekend that those receiving British aid should respect gay rights.
But Ugandan presidential adviser John Nagenda told the BBC Ugandans were "tired of these lectures" and should not be treated like "children".
Homosexual acts are illegal in Uganda and most other African countries.
Many people see it as violating religious and cultural beliefs.
In Nigeria, the government has unveiled a draft law which makes it an offence for anyone to support gay marriages.
Mr Cameron told the BBC he had raised the issue of gay rights at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, in Perth, Australia, last week.
'Natural death'
Mr Cameron said those receiving UK aid should "adhere to proper human rights".
Ending the bans on homosexuality was one of the recommendations of an internal report into the future relevance of the Commonwealth.
Those who have more should give to those who have less. It's as simple as that”
John NagendaUgandan presidential adviserMr Nagenda accused Mr Cameron of showing an "ex-colonial mentality" and of treating Ugandans "like children".
"Uganda is, if you remember, a sovereign state and we are tired of being given these lectures by people," he told the BBC's Newshour programme.
"If they must take their money, so be it."
Mr Cameron's threat applies only to one type of bilateral aid known as general budget support, and would not reduce the overall amount of aid to any one country.
Malawi has already had some of its budget support suspended over concerns about its attitude to gay rights.
Mr Nagenda said the UK's "bullying mentality" was "very wrong".
"Those who have more should give to those who have less. It's as simple as that," he said.
Mr Nagenda said he doubted that the Ugandan parliament would ever approve a bill which proposed the death penalty for some homosexual acts.
"I believe it will die a natural death. But this kind of ex-colonial mentality of saying: 'You do this or I withdraw my aid' will definitely make people extremely uncomfortable with being treated like children," Mr Nagenda said.
The bill - tabled by MP David Bahati - sparked widespread international condemnation earlier this year.
Meanwhile, a Senate committee in Nigeria is holding public hearings into a proposed new law on same sex marriages.
Homosexual acts and gay marriages are already illegal in Nigeria but the draft law would also punish those who aid or abet such marriages, reports say.
Mr Cameron said he had spoken with "a number of African countries" and that more pressure had been applied by Foreign Secretary William Hague, who deputised for him during parts of the Commonwealth summit.
Some 41 nations within the 54-member Commonwealth have laws banning homosexual acts. Many of these laws are a legacy of British rule.
Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says ‘it gets better’
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd is the latest public figure to lend his voice to global anti-homophobia campaign It Gets Better.
In the video Rudd said Australia has a zero tolerance to bullying.
“This message is for the young folk in our schools who are bullied because they are gay.”
“In Australia it’s reported that one in two LGBTI teens experiences bullying at school. It’s got to stop.
“Let me say quite simply, it’s not okay.”
Rudd joins US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and a host of community leaders and celebrities lending support to the anti-homophobia campaign.
Watch Mr Rudd’s video by clicking the link below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=V6ng1-0Paes
Inside the 'gay cure' ministries
Exorcisms, hugging, behavioural management and marriage are among the methods used by a Christian ministry to "heal" homosexuals in Queensland, according to a former leader who now wants to see the practice stamped out.
Paul Martin, the principal psychologist at Brisbane's Centre for Human Potential, said the local branches of an American organisation known as Exodus Global Alliance promoted homophobia and dangerous "ex-gay" therapies.
But Mr Martin, who became a lead counsellor with the Melbourne branch of Exodus Asia Pacific in his early 20s, said despite apparent support for issues such as same-sex marriage, there was a culture of internalised anti-gay sentiment in Queensland.
Mr Martin said that sentiment meant organisations seeking to “cure” homosexual people would continue to find an audience
Exodus made headlines yesterday when Community Services Minister Karen Struthers condemned her LNP counterpart Fiona Simpson for a speech made in 2002, which outlined her support for the organisation that helped gay and lesbian people "grow into heterosexuality" over time.
MP challenges gays to explain their 'heterophobia'
A Queensland MP railing against same-sex civil unions has accused gay people of attacking his cultural values and demanded they “explain their heterophobia”.
Independent MP Rob Messenger said today gay people should stop causing him distress, insisting he respected them but they should also respect his belief “that marriage is a divine gift exclusively to a man and a woman”.
Mr Messenger argued he would feel discriminated against if gay people tried to “interfere” with his values, in a letter emailed to media outlets headlined: “Homophobic or Heterophobic about Civil Union?”
The missive comes amid ongoing debate in state politics over Treasurer Andrew Fraser's push to allow same-sex couples to register their relationships as civil unions.
Mr Messenger, who resigned from the Liberal National Party last year and regularly rails against same-sex couples being accepted as foster parents, said some critics had labelled him homophobic for opposing civil unions.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Bomaderry/Nowra & Kiama ALP Branches Support Marriage Equality
The members of the Bomaderry/Nowra branch of the ALP wish to support Marriage Equality, by urging the National ALP Conference to change their policy on same sex marriages and support amendments to the Marriage Act.
The current Marriage Act discriminates against same sex couples by denying them the right to marry, which denies them the ability to publicly celebrate and affirm their love & commitment with their family & friends. This also hurts kids being raised by same sex parents deeming their family not privileged enough to be awarded the same rights and protections as opposite sex parents.
Kids & young teens that are struggling with their sexuality and fear that telling someone about their feelings will result in being victimised, often suffering from a range of mental health issues most seriously being suicide which sadly has claimed many young lives.
Besides this breaching articles 2 and 26 of the ICCPR (International UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), it’s ignoring the overwhelming support in the Australian community for Marriage Equality. (Recent polling shows over 70% support)
We also strongly support state and territory ALP branches for their motions calling on the National ALP conference to support Marriage Equality, motions have been passed in Western Australia, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, Northern Territory, ACT and a motion still stands in Victoria.
The ALP has a proud history of fighting for all Australians, in addressing both working & social inequalities, the ALP must act to address this important issue.
“Fighting in the pursuit of social justice and equality in ALL areas of the human endeavour” (Quote from ALP 2011 membership card)
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