The ART bill has been passed by both houses of Parliament and look, the sky hasn't fallen.
Both mothers in a relationship will be able to legally be parents to their children. The sky still hasn't fallen.
Ted Bailleau isn't happy but a big thank you to Robert Smith for this speech.
In his speech in support of the ART Bill Robert Smith said,"I want to make mention of one of the things that, I have to be honest, changed my mind on this whole debate. On the day the lesbian lobbyists came into the Parliament with their children, I ran into them in the vestibule and took the opportunity to introduce myself and welcome them to the Parliament. I said a stupid thing to them: 'Go and enjoy the debate'. How could anyone enjoy this debate?I thought, 'You fool!', but unfortunately I could not take back the statement. The impact it had on me -- not confronting but meeting these women and their children face to face -- was profound. It drove home to me the fact that we are dealing with real people and real children, here and now. They exist. "
Showing posts with label Social justice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Social justice. Show all posts
Friday, December 05, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
BURMA STILL A CESSPIT FOR GENERALS
The new Avon catalogue is out and I do love a browse even though most of their trash is now made in China.
They are advertising a new ring with cubic zirconias and a pear shaped ruby and my Avon lady was sure I'd love to buy that. She got too much information on where China buys its rubies.
Fortunately she's used to me asking the hard questions about where the goods are manufactured and which ones turn up at the $2 Emporium.
Which brings me to this blog entry about the latest raw deal for dissidents.
No rubies for me.
Also Stephen Conroy can stick his restrictions on internet use in his right ear.
They are advertising a new ring with cubic zirconias and a pear shaped ruby and my Avon lady was sure I'd love to buy that. She got too much information on where China buys its rubies.
Fortunately she's used to me asking the hard questions about where the goods are manufactured and which ones turn up at the $2 Emporium.
Which brings me to this blog entry about the latest raw deal for dissidents.
No rubies for me.
Also Stephen Conroy can stick his restrictions on internet use in his right ear.
Friday, October 10, 2008
WHY SO MUCH FUSS?
Two bills concerning the well-being of women have now been passed in the Victorian Parliament and why was there such a fuss about laws being dragged into the 21st Century?
GROUP A. Single women, lesbians, infertile single women who desperately want to bring a child into their lives and are prepared to go through the rigours of ART.
GROUP B. A clusterfuck of moral crusaders.
GROUP C. Women, who for various reasons, don't wish to procede with a pregnancy. Reasons include incest, rape, severe foetal abnormalities or accidental conception due to contraception failure.
Group B, the CFMC wanted to DENY Group A from having children they want because they find lesbians offensive and single women unsuitable without a protecting husband.
Group B, the CFMC wanted to FORCE Group C into having children they don't want.
So the bottom line is that a minority believes they have the moral right to dictate to a majority, Groups A and C, about which women can and cannot bear children unless it's in accordance with the archaic beliefs of Group B.
I sincerely hope this is the last battle we have to fight on these two issues.
GROUP A. Single women, lesbians, infertile single women who desperately want to bring a child into their lives and are prepared to go through the rigours of ART.
GROUP B. A clusterfuck of moral crusaders.
GROUP C. Women, who for various reasons, don't wish to procede with a pregnancy. Reasons include incest, rape, severe foetal abnormalities or accidental conception due to contraception failure.
Group B, the CFMC wanted to DENY Group A from having children they want because they find lesbians offensive and single women unsuitable without a protecting husband.
Group B, the CFMC wanted to FORCE Group C into having children they don't want.
So the bottom line is that a minority believes they have the moral right to dictate to a majority, Groups A and C, about which women can and cannot bear children unless it's in accordance with the archaic beliefs of Group B.
I sincerely hope this is the last battle we have to fight on these two issues.
IN THE 21ST CENTURY
The bill to de-criminalise abortion has now been passed in the Upper House.
John Brumby, who supported the legislation when it was passed in the lower house, spoke to reporters after the vote was passed 23-17 in the Legislative Council this morning.
"We'll now have in place in Victoria legislation that will take abortion out of the criminal code,'' Mr Brumby said.
"So I am pleased to see the result. It was a strong vote in the lower house, it's a comfortable majority in the upper house.''
Amendments to the bill are now being debated, before a third and final vote is held.
John Brumby, who supported the legislation when it was passed in the lower house, spoke to reporters after the vote was passed 23-17 in the Legislative Council this morning.
"We'll now have in place in Victoria legislation that will take abortion out of the criminal code,'' Mr Brumby said.
"So I am pleased to see the result. It was a strong vote in the lower house, it's a comfortable majority in the upper house.''
Amendments to the bill are now being debated, before a third and final vote is held.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
ONE HURDLE DOWN
From The Age newspaper today:
The lower house has voted 47 to 34 in support of the contentious Assisted Reproductive Treatment bill, which will now be scrutinised in the Upper House.
If passed by the Legislative Council the legislation will grant single and lesbian women access to reproductive treatment, including IVF.
Among those celebrating was Rainbow Families Council spokeswoman Felicity Marlowe, who has a two-month-old daughter Maude and lives in a same-sex relationship.
"What we've seen is a really sensible debate, unfortunately of course there are some people who have very diverse views about what a real family is or what constitutes good parenting but overall we've seen a really positive outcome," Ms Marlowe said.
"For families like mine that are same sex parented families it would mean better legal certainty for our children about who our parents are, better legal obligations for their non-birth parents and more rights bestowed upon them.
"What we'd be really wanting to see is that people understand that the spirit of this bill is that the rights and best interests of children are upheld and we believe that voting in favour of it in the upper house will ensure that our children are not second class citizens."
Congratulations to Felicity who has worked hard to make sure local Members of Parliament were emailed or visited by rainbow families.
The lower house has voted 47 to 34 in support of the contentious Assisted Reproductive Treatment bill, which will now be scrutinised in the Upper House.
If passed by the Legislative Council the legislation will grant single and lesbian women access to reproductive treatment, including IVF.
Among those celebrating was Rainbow Families Council spokeswoman Felicity Marlowe, who has a two-month-old daughter Maude and lives in a same-sex relationship.
"What we've seen is a really sensible debate, unfortunately of course there are some people who have very diverse views about what a real family is or what constitutes good parenting but overall we've seen a really positive outcome," Ms Marlowe said.
"For families like mine that are same sex parented families it would mean better legal certainty for our children about who our parents are, better legal obligations for their non-birth parents and more rights bestowed upon them.
"What we'd be really wanting to see is that people understand that the spirit of this bill is that the rights and best interests of children are upheld and we believe that voting in favour of it in the upper house will ensure that our children are not second class citizens."
Congratulations to Felicity who has worked hard to make sure local Members of Parliament were emailed or visited by rainbow families.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
CONSCIENCE VOTE
Last night a conscience vote of lower house MPs backed the legislation - giving single women, lesbians and infertile couples greater access to fertility treatments - by 48 votes to 36.
Premier John Brumby outlined his support for the Bill saying the best interests of a child was the paramount consideration under the legislation.
"What underpins all of this is an understanding that we're really talking here about the quality of family life, the quality of family relationships determines the emotional, social and psychological outcomes for children not necessarily the family structure into which they have been born. And I think a key theme of this is that good parenting is about giving children unconditional love and that is certainly what I believe the Law Reform Commission was saying in its report." (Go Team Brumby)
The Victorian Law Reform Commission proposed changes after four years consultations.
Labor MPs Christine Campbell, George Seitz and Marlene Kairouz voted against with James Merlino, the Sports Minister saying that the bill turned children into commodities.
On the Opposition side, Ted Baillieu said, "Every child has got a father and mother and I think that ought to be the starting point." He said he was not making a judgement on same-sex couples who raised children.
Shadow attorney-general Robert Clark said the bill put the interests of parents well ahead of those of children. "In the past, if a child lost its mother, that would be regarded as a tragedy for that child...however, those tragedies, if this legislation is passed, would be occurring by a deliberate act," he said. (Is it just me or does that not make any sense)
Meet Miss C - commodity
Premier John Brumby outlined his support for the Bill saying the best interests of a child was the paramount consideration under the legislation.
"What underpins all of this is an understanding that we're really talking here about the quality of family life, the quality of family relationships determines the emotional, social and psychological outcomes for children not necessarily the family structure into which they have been born. And I think a key theme of this is that good parenting is about giving children unconditional love and that is certainly what I believe the Law Reform Commission was saying in its report." (Go Team Brumby)
The Victorian Law Reform Commission proposed changes after four years consultations.
Labor MPs Christine Campbell, George Seitz and Marlene Kairouz voted against with James Merlino, the Sports Minister saying that the bill turned children into commodities.
On the Opposition side, Ted Baillieu said, "Every child has got a father and mother and I think that ought to be the starting point." He said he was not making a judgement on same-sex couples who raised children.
Shadow attorney-general Robert Clark said the bill put the interests of parents well ahead of those of children. "In the past, if a child lost its mother, that would be regarded as a tragedy for that child...however, those tragedies, if this legislation is passed, would be occurring by a deliberate act," he said. (Is it just me or does that not make any sense)
Meet Miss C - commodity
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
BLOOD JADE
This is the Pharkant Gyi Hmaw jade mine which in 2000 was still using manual labour to remove mining debris.
This photo from the UKSYU website shows people going through the tailings of a mine in Kachin looking for anything of value. A landslide at the Hmawsizar mine killed at least 20 people. The region has frequent landslides and flooding due to the rivers being clogged by mining debris and deaths are not reported to the outside world.The Beijing Organizing Committee of the Games announced that the design for the medals would include jade from China's Quinghai province to show a part of Chinese culture. The Committee publicly stated that their officially licensed products were made with Quinghai jade not jadeite from Burma but most of the jade products in the market place are made from Burmese jade.
Burmese jadeite is a global business controlled by Burma's military regime. The regime has effectively consolidated military control over the entire gems industry by eliminating small and independent companies from mining and forcing all sales to go through national auctions held by government ministries in Rangoon.
Gems are now Burma's third largest export and provide the Generals with an important source of foreign currency. Much of this cash comes from China and none if any filters down to the Burmese people.
If you're buying overseas, always ask where the gem or jade comes from. We've all heard of 'blood diamonds' and now we can add 'blood jade' to the banned list.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
CREEPS!
I wasn't going to go into the debate about decriminalising abortion which will move to the upper house on October 7 but these so-called pro-life groups have really got on my wick.
The Right to Life Australia, Salt Shakers church, Coalition against the Decriminalisation of Abortion, the Catholic church, the Tell the Truth Coalition and the Coalition for the Prosecution of Prenatal Child Killers are waging a disgraceful campaign of intimidation. Cabinet Minister Jacinta Allan was sent a box of animal organs so they don't think animals have a right to life.
The Tell the Truth group has spent $70,000 to promote their self rightous views. $70,000 would fund an orphanage in Cambodia, feed children, already living, in refugee camps in Darfur, fund schools in Aceh and help stop child sex slaves in S.E. Asia.
How many of these do-gooders camped outside detention centres to protest about the children locked away? How many children have they helped by donating to Care Australia? How many disabled children, overseas and in this country, have they sponsored or adopted?
They're a bunch of filthy hypocrites always banging on about the sanctity of the unborn child but never protesting about the wars that are killing children already born. And what pisses me off most, the men protesting. They don't have wombs, they can't bear children so why are they telling women what they can and can't do? Of course with their twisted logic, I wonder they haven't wanted an amendment to make lesbians have mandatory abortions since they're an abomination to the Lord and shouldn't be allowed to have families. Creeps.
The Right to Life Australia, Salt Shakers church, Coalition against the Decriminalisation of Abortion, the Catholic church, the Tell the Truth Coalition and the Coalition for the Prosecution of Prenatal Child Killers are waging a disgraceful campaign of intimidation. Cabinet Minister Jacinta Allan was sent a box of animal organs so they don't think animals have a right to life.
The Tell the Truth group has spent $70,000 to promote their self rightous views. $70,000 would fund an orphanage in Cambodia, feed children, already living, in refugee camps in Darfur, fund schools in Aceh and help stop child sex slaves in S.E. Asia.
How many of these do-gooders camped outside detention centres to protest about the children locked away? How many children have they helped by donating to Care Australia? How many disabled children, overseas and in this country, have they sponsored or adopted?
They're a bunch of filthy hypocrites always banging on about the sanctity of the unborn child but never protesting about the wars that are killing children already born. And what pisses me off most, the men protesting. They don't have wombs, they can't bear children so why are they telling women what they can and can't do? Of course with their twisted logic, I wonder they haven't wanted an amendment to make lesbians have mandatory abortions since they're an abomination to the Lord and shouldn't be allowed to have families. Creeps.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
MARRIAGE EQUALITY
The Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby invites you to the 4th annual Equal Love rally and Midwinta vows.While some progress has been made with an imminent Victorian Relationships Register, same-sex relationships are still not fully recognised in law and marriage is still banned.
We invite you and your friends, families, colleagues and neighbours to join us on Sunday August 3 to 'Stand up for your love rights'.
Details:
EQUAL LOVE RALLY + MIDWINTA VOWS
SUNDAY AUGUST 3, 1PM
STATE LIBRARY Cnr SWANSTON & LA TROBE Sts
Details:
EQUAL LOVE RALLY + MIDWINTA VOWS
SUNDAY AUGUST 3, 1PM
STATE LIBRARY Cnr SWANSTON & LA TROBE Sts
This is just not only about every gay couple in the village wanting to overwhelm churches and registry offices to get married. It's about having a choice whether or not to make a partnership official. Gays and Lesbians don't have this choice, it was denied them by an act of Parliament. An act that singled out their relationships as having no value to society. The current Government is not in a hurry to right a wrong but we're working on them. In a world of hate, let's go for love.
Monday, June 16, 2008
CALIFORNIA AND GAY MARRIAGE
Ray Almeida, a school principal just purchased a wedding ring. Almeida, 47 is marrying his partner, Alan, a 46-year-old accountant. He wants a ring that says, I want to marry you and spend the rest of my life with you.
Jeffrey Dreiblatt, 47 and Willie Walker, 44, a legal assistant plan on marrying in San Francisco.
Dreiblatt said,"When I was younger, I didn't understand the point of getting married and replicating heterosexual life. But over the years, my thinking has changed. The law in California and the implications for New York spoke to us and said, 'now is the time'."
Ed Schultz, a social worker who became domestic partner to Steve Berlin last year plans to marry on July 10. "Marriage has a certain dignity," he said. "When I go to work and say, 'I'm domestically partnered', that's something different than saying 'I'm married'."
Armistead Maupin, one of the city's most famous authors, who married his partner, Christopher Turner in Canada last year, will probably marry him again in California. "Straight people have grown up thinking they're entitled to a fairytale wedding. One of our great advantages as gay people is that we've been forced to forge relationships without that fantasy. In doing so, we've figured out what's at the core."
Faced with a wilted economy, water shortages and price shock of petrol, Californians are welcoming Gay Marriages with open arms ( holding bank accounts). A study by the University of California predicted that over three years gay nptials would contribute $US684 million to the state's wedding industry and $US64 million to the state budget.
Social justice only comes when the price tag is high enough not when discrimination is socially unacceptable.
Jeffrey Dreiblatt, 47 and Willie Walker, 44, a legal assistant plan on marrying in San Francisco.
Dreiblatt said,"When I was younger, I didn't understand the point of getting married and replicating heterosexual life. But over the years, my thinking has changed. The law in California and the implications for New York spoke to us and said, 'now is the time'."
Ed Schultz, a social worker who became domestic partner to Steve Berlin last year plans to marry on July 10. "Marriage has a certain dignity," he said. "When I go to work and say, 'I'm domestically partnered', that's something different than saying 'I'm married'."
Armistead Maupin, one of the city's most famous authors, who married his partner, Christopher Turner in Canada last year, will probably marry him again in California. "Straight people have grown up thinking they're entitled to a fairytale wedding. One of our great advantages as gay people is that we've been forced to forge relationships without that fantasy. In doing so, we've figured out what's at the core."
Faced with a wilted economy, water shortages and price shock of petrol, Californians are welcoming Gay Marriages with open arms ( holding bank accounts). A study by the University of California predicted that over three years gay nptials would contribute $US684 million to the state's wedding industry and $US64 million to the state budget.
Social justice only comes when the price tag is high enough not when discrimination is socially unacceptable.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
COALITION CREEPS
Conservative MPs are still attempting to stop Labor passing laws that recognise gay partners in the same way as married couples in public sector superannuation laws. The Coalition has managed to delay this by sending it to a Senate inquiry.
Brendan Nelson and his Coalition want to be seen as defending the institution of marriage.
Yes, it's that Brendan Nelson, the one who ordered $14 million worth of clusterbombs for the military.
Hypocrite.
Brendan Nelson and his Coalition want to be seen as defending the institution of marriage.
Yes, it's that Brendan Nelson, the one who ordered $14 million worth of clusterbombs for the military.
Hypocrite.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
I'VE THOUGHT OF THE CHILDREN
As one of the very last acts of the Howard Government, Brendan Nelson bought $14 million worth of cluster bombs - weapons that contain mini-bombs, some of which remain unexploded on the ground for years awaiting innocent civilians. It's the first time Australia has bought such a weapon, and one we would hope the new Government would categorically reject.
But right now, as the international community meets in Dublin to ban them, the new Australian Government is going out of its way to frustrate the process. They're calling for their 'SMART 155' bomb to be excluded, and for rogue nations who persist in using cluster bombs to be permitted to do so. We've got just a few scarce days left before the fragile international agreement is drafted. Sign the petition today telling Kevin Rudd to ban the bomb: no loopholes, no exceptions.
http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/BanTheBombs
Thousands of civilians have lost their lives and limbs, mainly children from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq and Lebanon. So much so that the international symbol of the campaign is a limb. Just last week the Pope took the unusual step of calling on the international community to outlaw the deadly weapons.
But our government has refused to accept that a total ban on cluster munitions has to prohibit countries from assisting other nations who use cluster bombs. They are also arguing that the Smart 155 is not a cluster munition, despite having no independent tests on its safety and refusing to provide any evidence to back up that claim.
The UK Prime Minister yesterday reversed his decision to exempt his own weapons, leaving Australia increasingly isolated. We should be encouraging positive international agreements to save lives, not hindering them. Tell the PM today - as this decision is being made right now - to ban the bombs.
I've already voted, click the link and add yours. Whatever Nelson gets now, he's got it coming after ordering these.
But right now, as the international community meets in Dublin to ban them, the new Australian Government is going out of its way to frustrate the process. They're calling for their 'SMART 155' bomb to be excluded, and for rogue nations who persist in using cluster bombs to be permitted to do so. We've got just a few scarce days left before the fragile international agreement is drafted. Sign the petition today telling Kevin Rudd to ban the bomb: no loopholes, no exceptions.
http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/BanTheBombs
Thousands of civilians have lost their lives and limbs, mainly children from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq and Lebanon. So much so that the international symbol of the campaign is a limb. Just last week the Pope took the unusual step of calling on the international community to outlaw the deadly weapons.
But our government has refused to accept that a total ban on cluster munitions has to prohibit countries from assisting other nations who use cluster bombs. They are also arguing that the Smart 155 is not a cluster munition, despite having no independent tests on its safety and refusing to provide any evidence to back up that claim.
The UK Prime Minister yesterday reversed his decision to exempt his own weapons, leaving Australia increasingly isolated. We should be encouraging positive international agreements to save lives, not hindering them. Tell the PM today - as this decision is being made right now - to ban the bombs.
I've already voted, click the link and add yours. Whatever Nelson gets now, he's got it coming after ordering these.
Saturday, May 03, 2008
GAY PARENTING CHANGES
Themuriels blogspot has the best explanation of how new laws will affect gay and lesbian families.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Friday, February 08, 2008
PLEASE EXPLAIN
Robert McClelland, meet the eyes of Miss Charlotte Pilgrim-Byrne and give a damn good reason why you don't agree that her mothers can have a ceremony for a civil partnership or even a marrriage.
Federal Attorney Robert McClelland thinks the ceremonial aspects of the proposed ACT Civil Partnerships Bill are "inappropriate".
ACT Attorney-General, Simon Corbell said the territory would not back from its plans to allow gay couples some form of ceremony.
"We will stand by our commitment to our community for the legal option for a ceremony - that is our position," Mr Corbell told The Australian.
The Rudd government has previously opposed gay civil unions and prefers a system of state-based relationship registers. Mr. McClelland declined to say whether the government was prepared to override territory legislation if the ACT defied the Commonwealth and passed the bill.
Don't stuff it up Kevvie, Miss Charlotte will be a voter before you know it.
Monday, October 01, 2007
BLOG ANNIVERSARY
That's beautiful Charlotte Pilgrim-Byrne, 6 days old.
This is my blog which is two years old tomorrow and since that little girl and all the other children of same-sex parents were the reason I started, what better image could I post.
Her mothers have been partners for nearly 15 years and now they're a family but not in the eyes of this prejudiced government and sundry moronic religious groups.
In two years the subject of equality in superannuation, medicare, pharmaceutical safety net and marriage or partnership registration has risen in profile. Various liberal members of Parliament have tried their best to have laws changed. Canberra tried for civil unions but the uberrodent stomped his jackbooted paw on that social justice.
It's my hope that Charlottle's first dance will be at her mothers' wedding.
It's my hope that I'll be blogging photos of that same event.
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