The inquiry, held in response to the introduction of the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009 by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, will examine discrimination against same-sex couples stemming from the Marriage Act 1961 and the Marriage Amendment Act 2004, which explicitly bans same-sex marriage in Australia.

The first senate probe into marriage equality in five years, it has been hailed by activists as the queer community’s best chance yet for equal marriage, and has prompted calls for same-sex couples to make submissions to the inquiry.

Australian Marriage Equality (AME) convenor Peter Furness said supporters of equality should “raise their voices loud and clear” as personal stories were “the key” to reform.

“We know from a recent Galaxy Poll that 60 per cent of Australians support same-sex marriage and our hope is that this strong community support will be reflected in submissions to the inquiry,” he said.

“What will carry the most weight are personal stories of exclusion and disadvantage experienced by same-sex partners denied the right to marry.”

Furness said inquiry submissions were “the most important thing you can do this year” the help achieve marriage equality.

Equal Love spokesperson Martin Baldock said the inquiry highlighted the fact that the same-sex marriage ban could no longer be ignored by politicians.

“The fact that members of all major parties have agreed to this inquiry shows that the Federal Government recognises that marriage equality is an issue that cannot be swept under the rug and ignored,” said Baldock.

“It’s an issue that is going to keep coming back again and again until they recognise the common humanity of all Australians and introduce equal rights for everyone.”

Baldock echoed Furness’ calls for submissions to the senate inquiry, which can be made online at https://senate.aph.gov.au/submissions.

Assistance making submissions can be obtained from the secretariat on (02) 6277 3560 or by emailing <!-- var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; var addy11924 = 'web.senate' + '@'; addy11924 = addy11924 + 'aph' + '.' + 'gov' + '.' + 'au'; document.write( '<a ' + path + '\'' + prefix + ':' + addy11924 + '\'>' ); document.write( addy11924 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //-->\n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it <!-- document.write( '<span style=\'display: none;\'>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it <!-- document.write( '</' ); document.write( 'span>' ); //-->

No date has yet been set for receipt of submissions, but the inquiry is due to report by November 26.

Meanwhile, the fight for marriage equality continues on other fronts, with momentum building for the National Day of Action for Same-Sex Marriage on Saturday, August 1.

Sydney will be the focal point of the day’s activities with a 12 midday rally outside Town Hall to be followed by a march to Darling Harbour for a ‘mass illegal same-sex wedding’ outside the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, where the 45th ALP National Conference will be in progress.

Here in Queensland, the day’s focal point will be a 1pm rally at Queens Park (adjacent to the Treasury Casino) in Brisbane’s CBD, followed by a march through city streets.

Queensland Equal Love representative Jessica Payne said: “August 1 is an opportunity for all those who support equal rights to demand the government promote equality, not homophobia. Come out in your rainbow colours, bring your signs, your wedding costumes, anything! Just make sure you are there.”

Source: http://www.qlp.e-p.net.au/