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Canberra Today 15°/18° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Thumbs up for gay marriage, says survey

A SURVEY, conducted by the House of Representatives Social Policy and Legal Affairs committee, has shown that 64 per cent of participants agree that same-sex marriages should be legalised in Australia.

According to the survey, 177,663 out of 276, 437 people supported legalising same-sex marriages, while 177,035 people believe same sex marriages performed in foreign countries should be recognised in Australia.

Australian Marriage Equality national convener Alex Greenwich said the result showed how passionately Australians support the reform.

“No other reform has ever motivated this many Australians to engage in a parliamentary inquiry,” he said.

“Marriage equality is clearly not a fringe or minority issue – it is an issue which speaks to core Australian values.

“Marriage equality goes to heart of the nation’s aspiration to be a fair and equal society.”

However the survey showed 77.5 per cent of participants agreed that religious celebrants should not be obliged to marry same-sex couples.

Mr Greenwich said campaigners for marriage equality have always respected the right of faith communities not to solemnise same-sex marriages.

“We respect the freedom of religious celebrants not to marry us and in return we ask that they respect our right to marry under civil law,” he said.

He thanked a group of more than 70 clergy from all faith backgrounds who urged their fellow Australians to write to the inquiry in support of marriage equality because of the benefit the reform will have for families and communities.

“Religious leaders are increasingly opening their hearts to this reform, and it is now time for political leaders to join them in supporting what a majority of Australians clearly and emphatically want,” Mr Greenwich said.

 

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