The Sex Party welcomes the Queensland Labor vote in support of marriage equality.

“The tide has turned on this debate,” said Rory Killen, Coordinator of the Queensland Branch of the Australian Sex Party.  “The question is no longer whether we should pursue marriage equality, and is now a question of why hasn’t the Commonwealth yet amended the Marriage Act?  I extend my congratulations to the Queensland Labor Party members that their voice has been heard.”

Mr Killen, a gay man passionate about equality, expressed the likelihood that this would influence the Sex Party’s role in the coming state election.

“We’re not monogamously aligned to any political party in Queensland,” he said.  “Our preferences are allocated on a candidate-by-candidate basis and we will watch commentary from all sides of politics closely following this development.  Our support may well influence the outcome of a number of seats, and may even be a deciding factor in a number of marginal electorates.

“If Labor is interested in attracting support from progressive voters, this is a winning move.  I am very interested to see the LNP reaction.”

Mr Killen will be contesting the seat of Ashgrove for the Sex Party, running against Labor incumbent and former Minister Kate Jones and the LNP’s alternative Premier Campbell Newman.

“Without detracting from the momentousness of this vote, which I celebrate, I do call on Queensland Labor and all political parties to extend their support for equality across all legislation.  In Queensland, we need to revisit legislation regulating surrogacy, adoption and the exemptions granted under anti-discrimination legislation to ensure all Queenslanders have full and equal rights as citizens.”

The Sex Party endorses all legislative approaches that further equality and are concerned that, despite the endorsement of state Labor, the federal party may remain recalcitrant.

Mr Killen said, “Amending the Commonwealth Marriage Act is the desirable outcome.  However, just as the Commonwealth can legislate on marriage, so too can the states.  I call on Labor and the LNP in Queensland to commit to pursuing state-based marriage legislation if federal legislation is not forthcoming.”