 Equal Love rally in Melbourne CBD | |
| Formation | 2004 |
|---|---|
| Type | Same-sex marriage campaign |
| Location | |
Convenor | Ali Hogg |
| Website | equallove |
Equal Love is anAustralian-wide campaign initiated by theVictorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby[attribution needed] in an attempt to win gay and lesbian couples marriage rights in the country.[1] The campaign involves a range of community, union, student and activist organisations[2] whose aim is to influence public and government attitudes towardsLGBTQ couples through education anddirect action.[3]
The campaign began in 2004[1] in response to theMarriage Amendment Bill, introduced by theJohn Howard government which was passed by theAustralian House of Representatives[4] in June of that year, which stated that a same-sex union "must not be recognised as a marriage in Australia".[5] In 2009, an Equal Love spokesperson claimed that "60% of Australians support equalsame-sex marriage rights and the introduction of the gender neutral bill. Equal marriage rights are becoming a significant and central human rights issue."[6] In 2010, tens of thousands of Australians participated in Equal Love demonstrations for same-sex marriage.[7]
Equal Love has had the support ofAmnesty International, theAustralian Greens and other notable individuals such asVictorianLabor PartyMinister for EducationBronwyn Pike,The Lord of the Rings starIan McKellen andAustralian Idol finalistRob Mills.[8][9]
In lobbying for same-sex marriage, the two organisations Equal Love andCommunity Action Against Homophobia share similar objectives.[10]
In 2010, Equal Love won anALSO Foundation award in the category of "Most Significant Activist of the Year" in the Australian LGBT community.[attribution needed] The ALSO Foundation isVictoria's largestnot-for-profit LGBTcommunity organisation.[11] Equal Love's Convener,Ali Hogg, won an ALSO award the same year as the "Most Outstanding Volunteer" for her work in the campaign.[12] In 2011, Hogg was recognised in the "Absolut People's Choice" award as the country's most influential LGBT person for her work in Equal Love, as part of Same Same's "25 Most Influential LGBTI Australians".[13] Equal Love were critical of former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's position on same-sex marriage voting against the party policy change and against it becoming a binding vote and allowing members a conscience vote.[14]
In 2016 Equal Love andAustralian Marriage Equality led thepride parade in St Kilda Victoria; this was the first time both groups had united to demand same-sex marriage.[15] Equal Love criticises Prime MinisterMalcolm Turnbull with Wallace saying "he’s done us a lot of damage because he’s taken a vote off the table and said the way forward is a plebiscite".
Melbourne is the countries largest Equal Love movement but each state and territory manage their own activisms. The Brisbane campaign group has been criticised from within its own ranks, as well as by the wider LGBT community.[16] The criticism has included concern about the close links Equal Love has to both theSocialist Alternative and theSocialist Alliance. The incorporation of other protest-issues within Equal Love rallies, as well as the "offensive" signs, the tee-shirt "profanity", along with the militancy of Equal Love participants have all raised concerns.[17][18] Equal Love works with other Australian LGBTIQ groups including theCommunity Action Against Homophobia.[19]Rodney Croome, national convener of Australian Marriage Equality, has expressed concerns about radical campaigning methods, saying "It is also a double standard to demand respect for same-sex relationships without showing the same respect in return".[20]
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