Queensland Parliament says yes to Civil Unions.

I had the privilege of witnessing a moment in Queensland LGBT history last night. Just after 11pm a bill legalising Civil Unions was passed in Parliament. While Opposition LNP MPs voted against the bill together as a bloc, Labor MPs were allowed a conscience vote with only four government MPs voting ‘no’. After nearly four hours of debate, of which some of the arguments were filled with pure fundamentalist bull crap the final voting numbers were 47 yes and 40 no.

The Civil Partnerships Act will allow same-sex and heterosexual couples to formally register their relationships with the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, a move dismissed by opponents as mimicking marriage but hailed by supporters as an important step towards equality.

The bill was introduced by deputy premier Andrew Fraser, which allows same-sex or heterosexual couples to register their union with the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

"Queensland’s parliament has voted to lift the shackles of discrimination," Mr Fraser said.

"It will go down as one of Queensland Labor’s most significant achievements.”

Premier Anna Bligh said the bill may not be a priority for all of Queensland but it was for those who live with discrimination every day.

"This bill is fundamentally about the human rights of Queensland’s citizens, but it is much more than that, it is about the joyful business of love."

Prominent marriage equality campaigner Shelley Argent was there in Parliament during the debate, and was whooped with delight as the votes were read out. “I just feel so overwhelmed with joy that we are one step closer to equality,” she reacts.

“Of course we heard the ‘what about the children?’ theory, the ‘man and woman’ theory and some just stated that this legislation made no difference to anyone, because the economic discrimination was removed and you had the de facto rights – they just forgot how you must somehow prove you are a couple. And of course we got the lecture on polygamy and polyamory.”

It was truly an exciting night. The atmosphere was amazing and when the final verdict was called out the crowd erupted with applause and yes I did shed a little tear. This is just one major step in the direction of Equality for the LGBT community.

History was made last night and let us hope this weekend when same-sex marriage is brought up at the ALP conference that history making will continue. Julia Gillard, you can only ignore the needs of the people for so long!

I would like to take this opportunity to give a big THANK YOU to all those involved in bringing a dream finally into reality.

Equality for all!

Check out a few photos of the historic event here!