News
LGBTIQ+
Human rights landmark as Australia legalises marriage equality
Parliament has today legislated for a fairer and more equal Australia by legalising marriage equality. “On this historic day, Australia joins over two dozen countries around the world in legislating for marriage equality,” said Australian Human Rights Commission President, Emeritus Professor...
LGBTIQ+
Keynote Address - Military Pride Ball 2017
Military Pride Ball - Keynote Speech Check against delivery Introduction Acknowledgements • Thank you, James and Ellen, for your kind introduction. • Traditional owners: the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation and to pay my respects to their elders past and present. • The many members of the LGBTI...
LGBTIQ+
Of bedrooms and bodies: law reform in relation to sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status
Speech given to NSW Bar Association (B/174 Phillip St, Sydney) CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Acknowledgements • Gadigal people of the Aeora nation; • Dr Sarah Pritchard SC (Chair, Human Rights Committee, NSW Bar Association); • Prof Andrew Byrnes (discussant). Introduction In 2012, then US Vice President...
LGBTIQ+
World AIDS Day breakfast: Hobart
Terrace Room, Best Western Hobart, 156 Bathurst St, Hobart Speaking notes CHECK AGAINST DEIVERY Acknowledgements: Muwinina [pron: ‘mou wee nee nar’] people TasCAHRD (who invited me to speak) Elders in the LGBTI community. Introduction 15 years ago, when I was an idealistic law student with lots of...
LGBTIQ+
Marriage equality: a return to substance over process
The debate on marriage equality this year has focussed on process: should parliament or the people vote on this issue? We now have a welcome move to substance. Six weeks ago, Attorney-General George Brandis got the ball rolling by releasing an exposure draft marriage equality bill. It sets...
LGBTIQ+
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Transgender Day of Remembrance Harmony Park, Goulburn St, Surry Hills Edward Santow, Human Rights Commissioner Check against delivery Acknowledgements Gadigal people of the Eora Nation Elders in the trans community, past and present. In particular, those people who have been victims of hate crimes...
LGBTIQ+
Genuine marriage equality is more than overdue
Imagine seeing the words "never married" on your new husband's death certificate. As if the grief of losing your husband while honeymooning wasn't traumatic enough. Marco Bulmer-Rizzi's husband, David, died after falling down stairs at a friend's place in Adelaide. Because South Australia doesn't...
LGBTIQ+
Gays and Parents Both Have Rights
School should be a safe space for everyone to develop and learn. No ifs. No buts. Yesterday a media storm developed around the decision of Burwood Girls High School deciding to celebrate ‘Wear it Purple’ day and screening the film ‘Gayby Baby’. The two are quite distinct issues. Wear it Purple day is...
LGBTIQ+
Same-sex marriage poll puts religious freedom in danger
Religious freedom could be seriously compromised if a referendum were held on whether same-sex couples were allowed to marry. Following the events of the week numerous people have talked up a referendum, not a plebiscite, as the “public vote” on whether same-sex couples should be able to legally...
LGBTIQ+
Same-sex marriage: a law that protects the rights of all parties
A law can be designed to protect the rights of all and avoid a distracting and divisive debate on marriage for same-sex couples. There are two fundamental human rights that could be affected by any change: equality before the law and religious freedom. During the recent National Press Club...
LGBTIQ+
Religious freedom and same-sex marriage need not be incompatible
Religious freedom isn’t sufficiently protected in any of the bills before the parliament to allow same-sex couples to marry. Last week the leader of the government in the Senate, Eric Abetz, raised concern that those of faith might suffer legal consequences if they continue opposing marriage for same...
