Posted by John, April 13th, 2010 - under Same-sex marriage.

Tags: Demonstrations

The defeat of the Greens-sponsored Marriage Equality Bill (to repeal the ban on same-sex marriage) in February saw Labor and the Liberals jointly reaffirm their opposition to civil rights and their support for homophobia.

Their actions in ensuring the continuance of state-based discrimination toward same-sex couples have made it crystal clear that change on this issue will not come from within the walls of parliament.

Rates of suicide and attempted suicide are six times higher for same-sex attracted young people than their heterosexual counterparts, and over 85 per cent of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people report having experienced physical violence and abuse in their lifetime.

Yet again and again, our elected leaders have refused to take note of either public opinion or a basic sense of decency. They have shown themselves to be absolute bigots.

So it is vitally important that more and more people continue to take to the streets in protest against this gross discrimination – that means coming out again for the International Day Against Homophobia on Saturday May 15.

The demonstrations that were held around the country in August and November last year and March this year have been vital in giving people the confidence to fight. At the last rally, one young woman in Melbourne declared, “I feel so powerful!”

Only through getting out in force and getting together as many people as possible can we begin to create and re-create this mood – this sense of power – in the face of the establishment, who want to create a sense of worthlessness and powerlessness in LGBTI people.

Those who support same-sex marriage rights – those who oppose homophobia – have a role to play in standing up to support those who are vilified by discriminatory laws.

In this election year it is only through taking to the streets that our message will be heard, that support can be consolidated, and that the issue will remain potent.

Labor is relying on the majority of the population to remain silent on this issue. With people all around the world demonstrating on May 15, it is a perfect opportunity to make some noise, to drown out their prejudice.

So if you have not yet taken to the streets to demand an end to homophobia, and to demand equal rights, now is the time to do so. If you have already been out in support, now is the time to do it again.

In the lead-up to May 15, tell everyone you know about the International Day Against Homophobia. Make sure they know just how important this campaign is.

This article first appeared in Socialist Alternative.