Tasmania takes positive steps forward for marriage equality.

Exciting times on this side of the globe!  Tasmania is taking positive steps forward for marriage equality.

Last night, the Lower House of Tasmania’s Parliament passed Australia’s first marriage equality bill, which aims to ensure the state’s gay and lesbian citizens will be the first Australians to have equal marriage rights. HELL YEAH!!! After a five hour debate, the bill was passed with a close vote of 13-11. Tasmania’s Premier Lara Giddings championed the bill, which had the support from Labor and the Greens.

The premier spoke passionately about the correspondence she had received, saying,“I do not believe the debate about marriage equality is about religious institutions. It is about civil rights.”

Under this legislation, any religious institution is able to avoid marrying a same-sex couple if it goes against their beliefs. This is similar to allowances that have been made in other countries where marriage equality has become a reality.

While Tasmania may have been the last state in Australia to decriminalize homosexual acts in 1997, the state is continuing to break new ground with Tasmania’s Legislative Council passing laws that enables gay and de-facto couples to use a surrogate to carry their child.

Tasmania’s Same-Sex Marriage Act 2012 will now make its way to the state’s Upper House.

While Queensland might be going backwards, Tasmania is going forward. Keep up the great work!!!

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