COMMUNITY ACTION AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA MEDIA RELEASE [IMMEDIATE RELEASE] 6th August 2007 |
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COMMUNITY ACTION AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA MEDIA RELEASE [IMMEDIATE RELEASE] 6th August 2007 |
THOUSANDS TO PROTEST SAME SEX OVERSEAS ADOPTION BANRuddock's move to ban overseas adoption for same sex couples has angered people across the country. Thousands are expected to protest the adoption ban on the 12th of August. This national day of action is expected to be one of the largest demonstrations for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in Australian history."The latest desperate attempt by the Federal Government to strip away adoption rights will just reinforce the fact that the Government is old, bitter and out-of-touch.” says John Klopprogge of the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (VGLRL), “It is another reason to join the National Day of Action on August 12, to present an alternative vision to that of bigotry and homophobia." "August 13th marks the three year anniversary of the federal ban on same sex marriage," says Farida Iqbal of Community Action Against Homophobia Sydney (CAAH), "We are protesting against the marriage ban and now we are also protesting against the proposed adoption ban.” “For a Government to deliberately set out to stigmatise same-sex couples and their children to win a few votes in the lead up to an election is beneath contempt." says Rodney Croome of the Australian Coalition for Equality (ACE), "The message that families headed by same-sex couples are second-rate and dysfunctional hurts not only these couples but the children in their care." "The Greens condemn this extreme move towards legally entrenched discrimination against the gay and lesbian community," says Greens Senator Kerrie Nettle. "This is a disgraceful move by the Howard government to pander to homophobic and fundamentalist religious interests in the lead up to an election. Children deserve a loving, caring and legally recognised family environment. We must not deny the children of same-sex couples this fundamental human right. I am also calling on Kevin Rudd and Labor to stand up to the Howard government on this issue." “The proposed ban on same sex couples' right to adopt is just another part of the government's campaign to portray same sex couples as sub-human, and whip up public fear about us,” says Rachel Evans of the Socialist Alliance, “But people are sick of these divide and rule tactics and are seeing through it more and more. Mass protest is the key to defeating this.” Protest Details: Sydney: Sunday August 12th 1pm, Taylor Square, Oxford Street. www.caah.org Melbourne: Sunday August 12th 11:30am, State Library, Swanston St. www.equallove.org.au Perth: Tuesday August 14th 12:00pm, Parliament House Lismore: Saturday August 11th 11am Spinks Park Brisbane: Sunday August 12th, meet 9:30am, Powerhouse Car Park. Picnic at 1:30pm
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