Labor in Kooyong, Friday 13th and on to Same-Sex Marriage

[tcpip]

Last Thursday attended a very good Labor function in the very safe Liberal seat of Kooyong. Had the opportunity to mention the perhaps too optimistic opinion poll from Roy Morgan. Candidate Steve Hurd showed some touching from the Muse with skill and insight in poetry. Took the opportunity to chat with former premier Joan Kirner and (of course) brought up her own skills with the muse. Quite surprisingly she remembered me even though we hadn't spoken to each other for over ten years.

Last eve 'twas a dark and stormy night, ideal for a viewing of the HP Lovecraft derived Return to Innsmouth, as glasses of glühwein were sipped. It was the perfect precursor for a visit to Nightmare House (a rather interesting game of New England horror and splitting psychic and physical conflicts). When the clock struck midnight, a new celebration was called - for it was the second birthday of the rodent brothers, Trouble, Mischief and Calamity who received, in good spirits, a serve of cheesekake.

Just returned from the Equal Love, where I had the time to spend some time with Adam Bandt (Greens candidate for Melbourne and Fiona Patten (convenor, Australian Sex Party). Gave the statement of religious leaders who support same-sex marriage to rally organiser Ali Hogg who commented on it and directed others to your writer for more information. Press release will be coming soon, campaign will be on-going. On a related note, gave the service last Sunday for Kenneth Davidson's address. Will be attending ANZUUA workshop next weekend.

Comments

Re: The problem

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

OK, I grok it. I suppose same-sex marriage has become a default parlance because heterosexual marriage is the legal definition. I am not sure where trans and intersex comes under the contemporary law in this regard.

Re: The problem

[laura-seabrook.livejournal.com]

The issue in Australia (apart from general transphobia and homophobia) is that while the States are responsible for Births and Deaths, it's the Federal Govt that's responsible for Marriages (which are administrated by the States on its behalf).

This means that though reassigned gender may be recognised on a State basis, there is no such compulsion to do so on a Federal level, and without a proper inclusion in legislation, a "straight" marriage between a trans person and their partner may or may t be legal. In the absence of legislation it tends to be a hit and miss affair in the courts, which may be either State or Federal.

Also of course, Intersex persons might not be allowed to marry under the current (and recently revised) Marriage Act, as it now states that "Marriage is between a man and a woman" (and Intersexed may be both or neither).

Not sure about genderqueer. That's new territory for me.

Re: The problem

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

OK; that's pretty much as I suspected and clears up a few things for me.