On Saturday night Rainbow Labor co-convener, Neil Pharaoh, gave the following address to the Australian Rainbow Labor Network Ball. A news report of this address can be found here.
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Good evening.
My name is Neil Pharaoh and I am one of two National Co-convenors of the Australian Rainbow Labor Network.
As you know Rainbow Labor is the official body of the ALP that represents the interests of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex party members, their friends, families and supporters.
It is great to see so many supporters in the room and I take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for being here this evening.
Following our disappointing experience at the 2007 National Conference the Australian Rainbow Labor Network was established following the desire of party members from across the country to work constructively within the party to help affect full equality for the Australian GLBTI community.
Since that time every State and Territory Rainbow Labor network has come together in good faith.
We have had countless calls and meetings, run fundraisers, written submissions and together travelled thousands of miles to ensure that the issue of marriage equality is put back on the national agenda.
Together we cross a diverse array of party factions, backgrounds, genders and state borders.
Together we represent a formidable force for positive change within the Labor Party.
In 2008 Rainbow Labor applauded Federal Labor’s removal of discrimination against GLBTI Australians from 85 pieces of Federal Legislation
Tonight we take on one of the last key challenges facing our community…marriage equality.
I believe in marriage equality for three simple reasons:
• One…While my long term partner is currently 16,000 kilometres away, he is the man I love, and it should be our choice to share our life together.
• Two…When marriage equality occurs, an immensely powerful message will be sent to younger Australians that they are the same as every other member of the community – no matter what their gender or sexuality
• and Three, because marriage equality is entirely consistent with our party’s commitment to fairness and equality for all Australians.
My sister, a school teacher, posted her responses, recently on Rainbow Labor’s three questions campaign website.
I believe her remarks are more inspirational than anything I can say this evening
When asked how she would describe her family my sister responded:
My three year old half sister sings to me in Chinese. My Italian mother engulfs me with the smell of fried meat and sauce. My brother kisses his boyfriend, smiles and hugs at home…. This is my family…
When asked why she thinks it is time for marriage equality she said:
We teach our children to treat others how they would like to be treated. Some of the best parents I know are gay. Some of the kindest partners are gay. We need to stand up for all people and show them what it means to love…
These concepts as touched on by my sister…equality, dreams, and dignity…make me wonder when we will be able to look back on our fight for marriage equality and say proudly to our children, friends and family that we stood up as a political party and did what is right.
Because the Labor Party is at its best when we fight for positive social reform.
In 1975 we established the racial discrimination act, in 1984 the sex discrimination act, in 1992 the disability discrimination act and again, in 2008, 85 Commonwealth laws were amended to remove discrimination against GLBTI Australians
In 2011 the key question for us is whether our party has what it takes to stand up in this great tradition and build on our foundations of social progress, equality and fairness for all Australians so as to effect marriage equality into Australian law, for all Australians.
Following a recent meeting in Canberra, Rainbow Labor unanimously resolved that marriage equality is not a life and death issue but instead an issue of fairness and equality.
On this basis I am tonight pleased to announce that Rainbow Labor networks from every Australian State and Territory unanimously reject a conscience vote on the issue of marriage equality.
I also pleased to announce that Rainbow Labor has unanimously resolved to call on National Conference to pass a positive policy platform that makes marriage equality the official, supported position of our party.
The suggestion that we have an untouched or neutral policy platform is simply unacceptable.
Finally tonight, I say to Joe De Bruyn that we will not be shaken by your threats of holding the Labor National Executive to ransom over the issue of marriage equality.
I say to Joe De Bruyn that we will not be shaken by your misinformation and out-dated scaremongering and untruths about electoral backlash over marriage equality…because we know that marriage equality is not only supported by the vast majority of our party, but supported by the vast majority of Australians too.
For all of you who have come here tonight and on behalf of Rainbow Labor we say a very sincere thank you.
Many of you have travelled significant distances to be here and made substantial financial sacrifices.
We also say that we cannot continue to walk this journey without you, and we need your help.
Tonight, I ask for you to redouble your efforts in support of marriage equality and in the 20 days that remain until National Conference.
To all of you I ask that you contact the Victorian powerbrokers
That you have personal discussions, email and send letters to the people that have significant influence on December’s debate on marriage equality
Now is the time to step out of your comfort zone and let the leadership of our party know that the time for change is now.
I also ask that you ring your National Conference Delegates and demand that they effect change in support of marriage equality
Collectively these tasks are simple, yet important
As active supporters of marriage equality and members of the ALP & our wider community you have a right to ensure that your vote is powerful
The right to ensure that together we reject a conscience vote on marriage equality and ensure a positive change in support of marriage equality is made to our party platform
The right to ensure that Labor’s proud history of reform, whether it be rights for the working people, fairness and equality for women, recognition for Aboriginal people, decent health care and education and a sustainable environment continue in modern Australian Society
Remember this day, and remember 2011 as a year where you too played your part in making marriage available to ALL Australians.
Thank you
Neil Pharaoh is the National Co-Convenor Australian Rainbow Labor Network