Marriage equality advocates say President Barack Obama’s support for marriage equality puts pressure on Australia’s national leaders to do the same.
Australian Marriage Equality campaign director, Rodney Croome, said,
“If Barack Obama can support marriage equality in an election year, in a country where support for the issue is lower than in Australia, then our national leaders have no excuses.”
“Australia is lagging behind other comparable countries and it’s time for our national leaders to catch up to their counterparts overseas.”
Both Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott personally oppose same-sex marriage.
Mr Obama joins UK Conservative Prime Minister, David Cameron, as a supporter of marriage equality.
“What’s notable about Mr Obama’s support is that his mind has been changed by the everyday experience of same-sex partners and their families at his daughters’ school and in military service.”
“We call on Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott to also open their minds to the everyday experience of same-sex couples who share the same love, commitment, joys and sacrifices as other couples.”
Other countries that allow same-sex couples to marry include Canada, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, Iceland, South Africa and several states in the US, Mexico and Brazil.
Australian Marriage Equality spokesperson, John Kloprogge, will be available for comment at a media conference in the Senate court yard at Parliament House at 9.40am.
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668 or John Kloprogge on 0422 913 942