Friday 29 February 2008
Human Rights Commissioner joins mardi gras parade to highlight 58 discriminatory laws
The Australian Human Rights Commissioner, Graeme Innes, will join over 100 marchers from the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) in the 30th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, calling the Federal Government to act on the 58 Federal laws that discriminate against gay and lesbian couples.
The 2007 Same Sex: Same Entitlements report released by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission identified 58 pieces of Federal legislation that discriminate against same-sex couples and their children in areas such as taxation, superannuation, access to Medicare, worker’s compensation and carer’s leave.
"The message of our float is clear and simple. There are at least 58 laws that discriminate against same-sex couples at a Federal level. We call on the Rudd Labor Government to deliver on its promise to change these laws in 2008," said GLRL Co-convenor Peter Johnson.
In a parade first, the Australian Human Rights Commissioner will be leading the float. Fifty fully-costumed cheerleaders will follow the Commissioner performing choreographed satirical chants based on the theme, ‘Equality...Bring it On’. A further 58 marchers will follow carrying 58 placards naming each one of the 58 federal laws.
"As I have said before, each of these 58 pieces of legislation fails the litmus test which all Australians apply in the school yard, the work place and the sports field - the fair go test," Human Rights Commissioner Innes said. "I am still incredulous that there could be such blatant and widespread discrimination against an entire sector of our community in such fundamental areas of life."
GLRL Co-Convenor Emily Gray concluded, "In the 30th year of the Mardi Gras parade, gays and lesbians continue to be treated as second class citizens under the law. Most Australians take their everyday financial and workplace entitlements for granted, yet gays and lesbians are denied equal rights in these fundamental areas of life. Our float calls for equality in 2008."
Graeme Innes, Emily Gray and Peter Johnson, will be available for comment and photo opportunities prior to the parade. Media are welcome to attend the final cheerleading rehearsal at 11am on 1 March 2008 in Hyde Park South.
More information on the 58’08 campaign can be found at www.glrl.org.au/58
For further comment please call:
Emily Gray: 0412 926 498
Peter Johnson: 0408 191 759
Brinsley Marlay (for Commissioner Innes): 02 9284 9656 or 0430 366 529
