QLD:Proud Fraser celebrates gay union laws

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-2011
QLD:Proud Fraser celebrates gay union laws

BRISBANE, Dec 1 AAP - Queensland's deputy premier Andrew Fraser has thanked his parliamentary
colleagues for passing his bill and handing gay and lesbian couples the right to enter
into legally recognised civil unions.

"Many Queenslanders will wake up this morning knowing that their human relationships,
their loving and committed relationships, are now regarded as equally valid before the
law," he told ABC Radio.

"The fact many Queenslanders now feel dealt into the community, part of the community,
in a way they haven't before is the absolute goal of being able to be a member of parliament.

"I thank my colleagues for their support and for the privilege of being able to bring
this change to Queensland."

The vote, which passed 47 to 40, comes a few days before the issue of gay marriage
is considered at the Labor party's national conference.

Queensland Labor MPs were given a conscience vote on the issue, with four opposing it.

The 31 opposition Liberal National Party MPs voted as a block against the Civil Partnerships
Bill, along with five of the six independent or minor party MPs present.

Gay and lesbian rights activists said it was a momentous milestone for Queensland.

Parents and Friends of Gays and Lesbians national spokeswoman Shelley Ardent said cheers
erupted in the chamber when MPs passed the bill.

"There was absolute joy. This is a huge step forward for dignity and rights in same
sex couples," said the campaigner whose son came out in 1995.

"When James came out, homosexuality had only been decriminalised for five years. All
he had was the right to be gay, now he pretty much has as many rights as the Queensland
government can give him."

She said LNP leader Campbell Newman had lost her vote over his party's position on
the bill, and expected other voters might make the same decision.

"Campbell Newman says he believes in same sex marriage but then directed the whole
party to vote against it," she told AAP.

"If he's willing to use the double standards theory with the gay community, he'll use
it with others."

Mr Fraser said procedural issues meant gay and lesbian couples eager to take advantage
of the new laws would have to exercise some patience.

He said the first civil union ceremonies, to be conducted by civil notaries, could
happen from early next year.

Mr Fraser said there was nothing in the laws to prevent a religious minister from registering
as a civil notary and performing the ceremonies.

The LNP has said Mr Newman never directed MPs to vote against the bill and the decision
was made in a unanimous party room vote.

AAP tnf/jsh

KEYWORD: GAY QLD 3RD UPDATE

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