Same Sex Marriage

Tasmanian Citizens draw to the attention of the House that your petitioners believe same-sex couples should be able to marry. This reform will; - remove legally-entrenched discrimination and be an important step towards full equality; - affirm that same-sex relationships can be as loving and committed as heterosexual relationships; - strengthen relationships and bring families closer together; - allow children being raised by same-sex couples the opportunity of having married parents; - strengthen marriage by re-enforcing its core vlaues of commitment and fidelity rather than defining it by who it excludes; and - help remove stigma against same-sex attracted people and have a positive impact on their mental health outcomes. We note that this reform has not diminished or changed marriage, harmed children or threatened religious freedoms anywhere it has been enacted. Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to pass a law which allows same-sex couples to marry in Tasmania.