Same Sex Marriage

Same-Sex marriage should be legalised in all states in Australia because same-sex orientated people should be afforded the same right to commit to a life partner as hetrosexual couples. Same-Sex marriage provides a more stable environment for the children of the couples and the government had the foresight to amend eighty-four laws which discriminated against same-sex couples but has yet to change the law in relation to recognition of same-sex marriage.

Same-Sex orientated people should be afforded the same right to commit to a life partner as hetrosexual couples. Marriage is defined in Australia as "the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life." As such, the legislation excludes same sex couples from marriage in Australia. The right to marry is a basic human right that is denied to same-sex couples. To deny them of this right is quite simply discrimination. Allowing same-sex marriage would support Australia's equality movements. Under the International Human Rights Declaration, every person is afforded the same human right. "…Without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status…" On a state level, there is a Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, which ensures that every person is equal before the law and is entitled to the protection of the law without discrimination. It appears that the Charter of Human Rights is at odds with the marriage act in regards to same-sex couples. Same-Sex marriage should be legalised so that Australia meets the standards according to the Charter of Human Rights.

Same-Sex marriage provides a more stable environment for the children of same-sex couples. Allowing couples to express their desire to enter into a life- long commitment of partnership enables the couples to conform with society norms and be accepted amongst the wider community. Marriage