LGBTQ rights in Australia

Gay rights in Australia are similar to several similar democracies. Homosexual sex is legal, legislation exists against some forms of discrimination against gays, but same-sex relationships may not receive the same level of government recognition as heterosexual relationships.

History of activist groups

• An Australian arm of the Daughters of Bilitis, formed in 1969 in Melbourne, is considered Australia's first gay rights organisation.
• Society Five was a gay rights organisation formed in Melbourne in 1971.
• The Gay Teachers Group was a gay rights organisation started in the late 1970s.
• The Homosexual Law Reform Coalition was a gay rights group started in the late 1970s.

Gay rights under the Keating ministry

• A law in Tasmania prohibiting homosexual sex was overturned by federal legislation.

Gay rights under the Howard ministry

• The Marriage Act 1961 and the Family Law Act were amended in order to define marriage as a "union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life". Amendments were also made to prevent the recognition in Australia of marriages conducted in other countries between a man and another man or a woman and another woman.
• Superannuation legislation recognised "interdependent relationships", which included same-sex relationships.
• The Australian Defence Force gave recognition to "interdependent relationships", which included same-sex relationships.^[1]

See also

• Same-sex marriage in Australia
• Human rights in Australia

External links

• Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives
• Queen City of the South Melbourne Queer History radio series

References

1. ^ "Extension of ADF conditions of service to ADF members in recognised interdependent relationships", Australian Defence Force bulletin, 2005-10-21. URL retrieved 2006-01-12.