Advocates say the tragic case of a UK man who was not recognised as his husband’s next of kin tarnishes Australia’s image and highlights the urgency of marriage equality.
David Bulmer-Rizzi recently died while on holiday with his husband Marco in Adelaide but Marco was not recognised as next of kin and David’s death certificate said “never married” because the South Australian and federal governments do not legally recognise overseas same-sex marriages.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said,
“I am angry about the pain David’s partner and family have been put through, the way this tarnishes Australia’s reputation and the fact our federal government has unnecessarily delayed reform by proposing a plebiscite.”
“This tragedy highlights not only the need for marriage equality but its urgency.”
“An interim measure would be the recognition of same-sex marriages in South Australian and federal law in the same way they are already recognised in Tasmania, Victoria, NSW and Queensland.”
“But the only way to ensure the love and commitment in same-sex relationships is equally recognised and respected is marriage equality at a national level.”
David Bulmer-Rizzi’s father Nigel Bulmer, told Buzzfeed UK,
“It’s degrading. It demeans my son’s memory and denies their relationship. It’s cast them as second-class citizens. No one should ever have to go through what we’ve gone through. We’re at the bottom and somebody has dug a deeper pit.”
To read the Buzzfeed report, click here
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
Author: Rodney Croome
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 20 January 2016