Tag Archives: Australia

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott today threatened to fire party leaders who “break ranks” and vote for same-sex marriage. Nine News reports: The Prime Minister was responding to a potential vote on the legalisation of same-sex marriage, if MP Warren Entsch were to successfully introduce a cross-party bill to parliament this morning. “It is … the standard position of our …

The anti-gay nutters at Marriage Alliance probably aren’t too happy about their poll. From the good guys: Marriage equality advocates have welcomed a new poll showing almost 60% of Australians believe marriage equality is a medium to high priority. The poll, conducted for anti-marriage equality group, the Marriage Alliance, found that marriage equality is, on average, the 13th most important …

The Sydney Morning Herald reports: Coalition MPs are holed up at Parliament House in a marathon meeting to debate same-sex marriage. Prime Minister Tony Abbott called a special joint Liberal-National parties meeting on Tuesday afternoon so government MPs could discuss whether they should have a free vote on the reform. However the decision to include National MPs – who are …

Via the Associated Press: Thousands of flowers have been placed in front of Parliament House from Australians who want to thank Tony Abbott for standing by traditional marriage. But the prime minister was unable to personally accept their thanks. The gesture was organised by the Christian Federation, which has called for a civil conversation on changing the Marriage Act. “There …

Australia’s News Corp outlet reports: Foxtel is facing a backlash from some subscribers after it decided to screen advertisements opposing same-sex marriage. The ads, created by anti-gay marriage group Marriage Alliance, were knocked back by the Seven and Ten networks but have been screened by the pay TV provider. People took to Facebook to vent their anger, with many saying …

The Sydney Morning Herald reports: Canberra Airport has been lit up in rainbow colours to greet federal MPs flying into the capital, ahead of the introduction of a cross-party bill to support gay marriage expected this fortnight. And Australian Marriage Equality’s new national campaign slogan, #WeCanDoThis, is also on display with hopes the momentum in the community for same-sex marriage …

SBS reports: Backed by wealthy businessmen, The Marriage Alliance says it hopes its media campaign will encourage Australians to feel comfortable voicing their concerns about same sex marriage. The ad was unveiled at a launch today along with the campaign slogan “there’s more to it than you think”. The ad starts with a simple drawing that later becomes the tip …

Gay Star News reports: Australian opposition leader Bill Shorten has promised to introduce a gay marriage bill within his first 100 days if elected prime minister in 2016. ‘Same-sex couples have waited too long. Australia is trailing the world,’ the Labor Party leader said on Sunday (26 July). ‘The debate about marriage equality has simply gone on too long.’ The …

Vogue reports: In case you didn’t have enough proof that Beyoncé is slowly taking over the world, Australia just approved plans to build a 68-story skyscraper in the shape of the singer’s famously curvaceous figure. While there have been plenty of oddly shaped structures that have gone up in the past—such as these constructions in the form of a robot, …

I first wrote about Maclean back in 2013 for the release of his quirky Australian hit Stupid, which made my top ten for that year. Today he’s back with a lovely ballad.

Via Australia’s ABC affiliate: Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has warned Asian countries could see Australia as “decadent” if moves to legalise same-sex marriage are successful. Mr Joyce was asked about comments last week by another frontbencher opposed to gay marriage, Eric Abetz, who is the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Senator Abetz suggested that if Asian countries …

In a gorgeous show of solidarity, some straight allies in Australia have taken to covering their ears during the state-mandated portion of wedding vows that explicitly note that marriage is only between a man and a woman. Celebrants must tell the gathering: “Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion …

Via Reuters: Australia will soon decide whether to legalize same-sex marriage under a cross-party bill which may allow parliament members to vote according to their conscience, rather than along party lines, media reported on Wednesday. The debate over whether to follow countries like the United States and Ireland in recognizing same-sex marriage has strained relations between Australia’s socially conservative Catholic …

The Archdiocese Of Sydney is ever so pissed at the 150+  Australian corporations that have placed a joint newspaper campaign in support of same-sex marriage. The Catholic Church in Sydney is sending letters to companies that publicly support same-sex marriage, expressing its “grave concern” about their stance. The ABC has seen a copy of one letter addressed to the chairman …

Australian Marriage Equality is asking citizens to reach out to their MPs and help push both legislative chambers into the majorities needed to pass same-sex marriage. As you can see, they are still 14 MPs short, but the undecideds could easily make up the difference.

Over 160,000 Facebook users have “liked” a page that promises to celebrate the divorce of Australian couple Nick and Sarah Jensen, who gained global headlines last week when they vowed to legally separate should same-sex marriage become law down under. Via Pink News: The Facebook page, which sets 1 September as a placeholder date for celebration, to be confirmed if …

Earlier this week an anti-gay Australian couple earned international headlines when they declared that that they will divorce in a symbolic stand against same-sex marriage. But as it turns out, their plan to remain living together may thwart any divorce under Australian law. The Family Law Act states that an application for divorce will only be considered if the parties …

Two weeks ago 53 corporations advertised their support for same-sex marriage in a full-page message that ran in major Australian newspapers. Today that number triples to 154 in the above message running in News Corp outlets owned by Rupert Murdoch. Among the companies joining in are McDonald’s, Levis, Mastercard, Google, Twitter, H&M, Virgin, and Qantas.

From an Australian version of The Onion: “In response to threats from a Canberra couple to divorce were equal marriage laws to pass, a local couple in a committed same-sex relationship have in turn threatened to absolutely not give the slightest shit were that to happen. Local couple Brett and Harry have said that while they are not heterophobic and …

“My wife and I just celebrated our 10-year anniversary. But later this year, we may be getting a divorce. The decision to divorce is not one we’ve taken lightly. And certainly, it’s not one that many will readily understand. And that’s because it’s not a traditional divorce. Our view is that marriage is a fundamental order of creation. Part of …