UK religious groups praise gay marriage bill | Gay Star News.
Tag: Marriage Equality
Community anger over abstained vote | Star Observer
Community anger over abstained vote | Star Observer
Posted on 11 January 2013
Melbourne Ports MP Michael Danby (pictured) continues to come under fire from marriage equality advocates and constituents for abstaining on last year’s gay marriage vote in the federal Parliament.
The Melbourne Ports electorate includes the suburbs of Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Balaclava, parts of Caulfield and St Kilda, where the annual Pride March is held.
The Labor MP was one of 10 Lower House members who did not vote on September 19. The marriage equality bill, introduced by Labor MP Stephen Jones, was voted down 98 to 42. Melbourne Ports resident Darren Tyrrell told the Star Observer he and his partner were very disappointed in Danby’s decision.
“I don’t think he wants to stick his neck out on it,” he said.
When Tyrrell met with Danby to discuss gay marriage last year, he said the MP was sympathetic but non-committal.
“He told us the Catholic Church had been lobbying him really hard, probably more than anyone else,” Tyrrell said.
“I’m disappointed because I always thought he was a politician who stood up for human rights, he stands up for people’s human rights overseas but he doesn’t do it in his own electorate.
“I think it’s a bit gutless to be honest.”
A spokesman for the Australian Marriage Equality Victorian branch said they would be working with Melbourne Ports residents to highlight Danby’s decision.
“Michael Danby has betrayed the voters of Melbourne Ports by saying he supports marriage equality but then not voting for it when he had the chance,” he said.
“Worse still, Danby’s abstention sends a negative message to other MPs who will look at him and think ‘if he can get away with not voting for this in such a progressive electorate then so can I’.” Some residents have taken to social media to highlight Danby’s move
Melbourne Ports resident Tony Pitman started a Facebook page called ‘Melbourne Ports residents for marriage equality’ late last year, hoping to stir some change.
“I think most people in the electorate had the impression that Michael Danby was a supporter of LGBT rights, so when he chose to abstain on the marriage equality vote, there was a lot of disappointment and anger,” Pitman said.
“Through the Facebook page, we hope to funnel that frustration into something constructive; organising campaigns to convince Michael Danby to vote yes next time around.”
Danby’s office did not comment in time for publication.
INFO: melbourneportsmarriage@gmail.com
This post was written by:
Benn Dorrington – who has written 134 posts on Star Observer.
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Decalogue Board of Managers Votes to Support Gay Marriage in Illinois
November 28 in Chicago, Il
Resolution Regarding HB5170 (The Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act)
WHEREAS, the Decalogue Board of Managers affirmatively declared HB5170 proposing the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act (introduced in the 97th General Assembly of the State of Illinois) to be of interest to the Society and referred HB5170 to the Decalogue Legislative Committee for review;
WHEREAS, the Decalogue Legislative Committee has now reported to the Board that:
(a) The Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act (750 ILCS 75/1 et seq.), effective June 1, 2011, made it the law of the State of Illinois that parties to a Civil Union (including same-sex couples) are entitled to the same legal obligations, responsibilities, protections, and benefits as are afforded or recognized by the law of Illinois to spouses (whether they derive from statute, administrative rule, policy, common law, or any other source of civil or criminal law); however, the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act did not permit same-sex couples to be a party to a civil marriage in Illinois;
(b) On its face, the purpose of HB5170 is to now provide both “same-sex couples and different-sex couples and their children equal access to the status, benefits, protections, rights, and responsibilities of civil marriage”;
(c) On its face, HB5170 relates only to civil marriage in Illinois and does not, in any manner or to any degree, redefine the definition of “marriage” under Jewish (biblical) law or under the religious laws/prescriptions of any other religious denomination, Indian Nation or Tribe or Native Group; and
(d) On its face, HB5170 will not be implemented in any manner or to any degree to require or otherwise compel rabbis and/or ministers of any other religious denomination, Indian Nation or Tribe or Native Group to solemnize and/or otherwise compel them to give a religious wedding to people that they do not want to give a religious wedding to. Rather, HB5170 specifically states that “any religious denomination, Indian Nation or Tribe or Native Group is free to choose which marriages it will solemnize;”
WHEREAS, it is the power of the State of Illinois to establish civil statutes;
WHEREAS, all civil statues enacted in the State of Illinois must conform to the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 3 of the Illinois Constitution, guaranteeing religious liberty and promoting the strict separation of church and state; and
WHEREAS, Decalogue’s core purposes have always included participating in social action, promoting human rights, and maintaining vigilance against public and private practices which are discriminatory and oppressive;
NOW THEREFORE, the Decalogue Board of Managers now hereby resolves, by majority vote, that:
Decalogue fundamentally believes in respect for others; condemns all types of discrimination; supports any legislation that seeks to promote freedom, equality, and justice for all; and believes that HB5170, if passed (subject to the recommended changes enumerated below), would ensure that all Illinois couples and their children have equal access to the status, benefits, protections, rights, and responsibilities of civil marriage, as created pursuant to civil statute. Decalogue’s President and/or his designee may take such steps as the President, in his discretion, believes are necessary to disseminate Decalogue’s position (e.g., to Illinois legislators, bar associations, etc.) in furtherance hereof.
Further, Decalogue recommends that the Illinois Legislature take up modifications to HB5170 to review and make any necessary amendments to §212(a) of the Act (750 ILCS 5/212(a)) to avoid prohibiting now-permitted marriages through the creation of new prohibited marriages by reason of consanguinity.
