So it seems we have a new Federal Government. Our conservative Prime Minister John Howard looks like he hasn't even made it into the parliament, losing his seat to former television journalist Maxine McKew.
We'll need to get used to "Prime Minister Kevin Rudd". It's a weekend of change in this end of the world. There was ample French Champagne flowing in a house filled with gay men here tonight accompanying the sense that we will have less oppression with this new government. Hopefully it will mean a lot of changes for the better in the future. Only time will tell.
So it seems we have a new Federal Government. Our conservative Prime Minister John Howard looks like he hasn't even made it into the parliament, losing his seat to former television journalist Maxine McKew.
We'll need to get used to "Prime Minister Kevin Rudd". It's a weekend of change in this end of the world. There was ample French Champagne flowing in a house filled with gay men here tonight accompanying the sense that we will have less oppression with this new government. Hopefully it will mean a lot of changes for the better in the future. Only time will tell.
10 comments:
Congratulations!
Hope the future will look alot brighter after today.
I'm dying to know what oppression the gays had from the Howard government.
marco: The oppression from Howard's government is not at gunpoint or through brute force, but through more insidious means. Actions such as preventing the ACT government from passing gay relationship recognition legislation is a prime example. Failure to make significant reforms to and opposing proposed reforms in the area of discrimination against same sex relationships over the course of the 11 years in office is what I call oppression. It's making gay people feel inferior, by regarding our relationships as unrecognisable, or non existent. For example: If I die and I don't have a will - all my possessions go to my genetic family - my partner of 12 years is not recognised. If he were a she, the recognition would be automatic. The government has allowed this to continue and has actively stopped it from being changed. It's a basic human right and I'm not going to vote for someone who won't recognise that.
Let's hope your new government really has Fresh Ideas
Trevor : agreed with respect to basic human rights for Gays ... but the other message is until legislative change happens all gay men and women need to ensure write a Will and ensure the Wills are up to date.
All gay people in Australia enjoy the same "basic" human rights (as hetros). It is arrogant to suggest that we do not. Indeed the smooth transistion of government at the weekend is testament to our modern democratic rights driven soceity. If you feel oppressed in this country then leave. Many hetrosexual (married)relationships have their wills challenged for a myriad of reasons.
The Labor government has not endorsed gay marriage either.
Anonymous: I think we have a great country, but I don't think from a gay perspective the Howard government made a lot of significant advances that we have seen in that same time in Canada and through Europe. Yes we have the same basic human rights - but we are seen as a different class, at least by our laws. To leave would be to choose not to make a difference - and I'm not that kind of person, suggesting one leaves because one doesn't like something is a little immature. Are you happy with things to remain as they are - to not make things better and more equal? Labor has not endorsed gay marriage - but they do seem willing to talk about relationship recognition. I did suggest that I wasn't entirely optimistic about Labor - but I see them as a better option than the previous Liberal option. Now certainly isn't the time to leave.
Trevor, yes it was a tad immature of me to suggest you leave... Sorry. I have just been frustrated by the lack of politicial awarness in this country. The presidential campaign and the use of human rights as a scapegoat for what is essentially both parties bowing to religious bigotory and poor understanding of Biblical law, to deny gay unions. Every Australian (living in this country) has first class human rights. We must be pragmatic. Sorry the previous blog was anonymous.
building95: Thanks. I certainly empathise with the frustration. It makes being politically active a challenge - finding ways to motivate change...
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