Jo Richardson and Jac Charlesworth of Kingston Beach with 3 year old son Marty.
THE campaign for same-sex marriage is back in full swing, with activists hoping to play a decisive role in Legislative Council elections.
They plan to distribute how-to-vote cards to every household in the three electorates that go to the polls on May 4.
The cards target Independent Jim Wilkinson and Liberal Vanessa Goodwin in the southern electorates of Nelson and Pembroke. Both voted against the Same-Sex Marriage Bill last September when it was defeated by two votes in the Upper House.
On Thursday, Ruth Forrest introduced a motion in the Upper House to put the Same-Sex Marriage Bill back on the agenda — the first step towards another debate.
If approved, her motion would breathe new life into legislation which stirred passions on all sides last year.
Ms Forrest said last September many MLCs expressed concerns about the likelihood of an expensive High Court challenge if Tasmania voted to allow same-sex marriage before it became federal law.
“I think we can put some of those concerns to rest now,” she said.
The NSW Parliament had been investigating the issue Ms Forrest said, adding several experts had advised a state law would be constitutional.
“I think it is really important for all Australians to be allowed to marry the person they love, regardless of their gender,” she said.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesman Rodney Croome said the letter-box campaign was the biggest attempted by marriage equality advocates, adding, “We’re taking the issue to a new level. There has been so much change, even in the past few weeks.”
Mr Croome said soon it would be possible for same-sex couples to marry in Britain, France and New Zealand, while parliaments in NSW, South Australia and the ACT were considering the issue.
“I think Tasmania should lead on this … I don’t want to see Tasmanian couples feeling compelled to travel to Auckland to be married,” he said.
Jac Charlesworth and Jo Richardson, featured on the marriage equality how-to-vote cards with their three-year-old son, Marty, said they would love to marry in Tasmania after being together 12 years.
“Marriage will help Jo and I provide our son with the sense of security all children deserve,” Ms Charlesworth said.
Cartoon by Jon Kudelka
Publication: The Mercury
Reporter: Philip Heyward
Date: 30/03/2013