Tasmanian will soon have a same-sex couples register
Not sure if anyone has seen this article, I have added the web site address but am not sure if I have done it correctly so I added the story as well. Thought it may be interested considering what is happening in the USA at the moment regarding gay marriages.
Personally I don't understand why gay couples cannot be married the same as non-gay couples but that would be me.
Patricia
Downunder
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8285661%255E1702,00.html
Tassie same-sex couples register
December 30, 2003
THE last state in Australia to decriminalise homosexuality is poised to become the first to allow same-sex couples to officially register their relationship.
The Tasmanian registration scheme for a range of "significant and caring" relationships will officially begin when the state Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages reopens for business on Friday.
Designed to put such relationships on a more equal footing with traditional marital unions in the eyes of the law, the register is part of the Tasmanian government's Relationships Act, which comes into effect on Thursday.
The Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group, which led the protracted campaign that achieved gay law reform in 1997, said registration was the next best thing to marriage.
"In the absence of gay marriage, registration is the clearest way for society and government to show they acknowledge and approve of same-sex relationships," group spokesman Rodney Croome said today in a statement.
"This is an important step forward for relationships which have long endured stigma and discrimination.
"I'd be thrilled to see a Tasmanian-style scheme adopted by all other states and the commonwealth."
"As well as being the first registration scheme in Australia for same-sex couples, the Tasmanian partnership registry is the first in the world for other types of significant relationships like older companions and carers and the people they care for."
He said the Relationships Act would give a range of personal unions equal status to married couples in virtually all Tasmanian laws.
Personally I don't understand why gay couples cannot be married the same as non-gay couples but that would be me.
Patricia
Downunder
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8285661%255E1702,00.html
Tassie same-sex couples register
December 30, 2003
THE last state in Australia to decriminalise homosexuality is poised to become the first to allow same-sex couples to officially register their relationship.
The Tasmanian registration scheme for a range of "significant and caring" relationships will officially begin when the state Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages reopens for business on Friday.
Designed to put such relationships on a more equal footing with traditional marital unions in the eyes of the law, the register is part of the Tasmanian government's Relationships Act, which comes into effect on Thursday.
The Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group, which led the protracted campaign that achieved gay law reform in 1997, said registration was the next best thing to marriage.
"In the absence of gay marriage, registration is the clearest way for society and government to show they acknowledge and approve of same-sex relationships," group spokesman Rodney Croome said today in a statement.
"This is an important step forward for relationships which have long endured stigma and discrimination.
"I'd be thrilled to see a Tasmanian-style scheme adopted by all other states and the commonwealth."
"As well as being the first registration scheme in Australia for same-sex couples, the Tasmanian partnership registry is the first in the world for other types of significant relationships like older companions and carers and the people they care for."
He said the Relationships Act would give a range of personal unions equal status to married couples in virtually all Tasmanian laws.