Ahead of her tour of Australia later this year, k.d. lang has weighed into the same-sex marriage debate declaring it a matter of “human rights”.
Responding to a question about the issue on ABC Radio this morning Ms Lang, said:
“…the most important thing to realise is that in legal terms there should be a separation of church and state. It should be a protection of human rights. If someone chooses to marry a same-sex partner they should have the same legal protections and tax implications as their heterosexual counterparts.”
Australian Marriage Equality spokesperson, Alex Greenwich, welcomed Ms Lang’s comments and urged her to speak out on the issue when she tours.
“An important message for k.d. and other Canadians to send is that their country’s respect for equality has benefitted same-sex couples and their families while not infringing religious freedoms”, Mr Greenwich said.
“The sky over Canada hasn’t fallen in and neither will Australia’s.”
Same-sex couples have been able to marry across Canada since 2005. Many Australian couples have travelled to Canada to marry but their marriages are not recognised when they return home.
For a link to, transcript of, the relevant question and answer between Fran Kelly and k.d. lang, see below.
For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.
From ABC Radio National Breakfast
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/breakfast/stories/2011/3181292.htm
Fran Kelly: There’s a big debate going on in this country at the moment about gay marriage. It’s illegal here. It’s not illegal in your home country of Canada. It’s been legal there since 2005. Do you have a sense whether it’s accepted in Canada now? Does it still cause ructions?
k.d. lang: I think it will for a long time. It depends on where you’re coming from. I guess for people like the Christians and the Muslims it’s against the basic grain of their understanding. But I think the most important thing to realise is that in legal terms there should be a separation of church and state. It should be a protection of human rights. If someone chooses to marry a same-sex partner they should have the same legal protections and tax implications as their heterosexual counterparts.