AUSTRALIA: New Anti-Gay Group Unveils Titanic-Themed Marriage Campaign

SBS reports:

Backed by wealthy businessmen, The Marriage Alliance says it hopes its media campaign will encourage Australians to feel comfortable voicing their concerns about same sex marriage. The ad was unveiled at a launch today along with the campaign slogan "there's more to it than you think". The ad starts with a simple drawing that later becomes the tip of an iceberg. “Trying to achieve something big can feel like climbing a mountain,” it states. “It's time to step back and consider all the issues around same sex marriage. Like how it will affect children or sex education in schools or what rights you could lose.” Ivan Hinton-Teoh the deputy director of Australian Marriage Equality which is in favour of same sex marriage described the ad as a last minute scare campaign. “This kind of desperate, eleventh hour scaremongering has failed to stop the momentum for marriage equality in other countries and it will fail in Australia as well," he said. “It's asking to have a conversation start where we've been going for ten years."

(Tipped by JMG reader Damian)

AUSTRALIA: Labor Leader Bill Shorten Promises Marriage Bill Within 100 Days If Elected Prime Minister Next Year

Gay Star News reports:

Australian opposition leader Bill Shorten has promised to introduce a gay marriage bill within his first 100 days if elected prime minister in 2016. ‘Same-sex couples have waited too long. Australia is trailing the world,’ the Labor Party leader said on Sunday (26 July). ‘The debate about marriage equality has simply gone on too long.’ The pledge came hours after he made a deal with Labor’s left faction to back a binding vote in favor of gay marriage if it is not legalized by the next parliamentary sessions. Shorten said gay marriage could still be legalized by the current parliament and called on Prime Minister Tony Abbott to give Liberal MPs a free vote on the issue. ‘What the Labor Party does with this resolution is we lay down the challenge to Mr Abbott and his Liberals: Please give your members of parliament a free vote so we can make marriage equality a reality now,’ Shorten said.

VIDEO: At the same Labor conference openly lesbian MP Penny Wong delivered a forceful speech on marriage equality, receiving a lengthy standing ovation. Watch this.

AUSTRALIA: Beyonce Inspires Skyscraper

Vogue reports:

In case you didn’t have enough proof that Beyoncé is slowly taking over the world, Australia just approved plans to build a 68-story skyscraper in the shape of the singer’s famously curvaceous figure. While there have been plenty of oddly shaped structures that have gone up in the past—such as these constructions in the form of a robot, a lotus flower, and a basket—this is the first time a building has been inspired by a living pop star. The architecture firm Elenberg Fraser unveiled its plans for the undulating skyscraper yesterday and admits on its website that the shape of the Premier Tower was ultimately borrowed from Beyoncé’s “Ghost” video.

The tower will go up across from Melbourne's famed Spencer Street train station.

Brendan Maclean - The Feeling Again

I first wrote about Maclean back in 2013 for the release of his quirky Australian hit Stupid, which made my top ten for that year. Today he's back with a lovely ballad.

AUSTRALIA: Agriculture Minister Says Gay Marriage Will Hurt Cattle Exports

Via Australia's ABC affiliate:

Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has warned Asian countries could see Australia as "decadent" if moves to legalise same-sex marriage are successful. Mr Joyce was asked about comments last week by another frontbencher opposed to gay marriage, Eric Abetz, who is the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Senator Abetz suggested that if Asian countries did not accept same-sex marriage then Australia should not either, pointing to the often-repeated phrase that for Australia this was the Asian century. "Eric is right in saying where we live economically is south east Asia, that's where our cattle go," Mr Joyce told the ABC's Insiders program. "When we go there, there are judgments whether you like it or not that are made about us. They see us as decadent."

Australia's Parliament will consider a marriage bill when it resumes next month.

AUSTRALIA: Straight Allies Cover Their Ears During State-Mandated Anti-Gay Section Of Marriage Ceremony

In a gorgeous show of solidarity, some straight allies in Australia have taken to covering their ears during the state-mandated portion of wedding vows that explicitly note that marriage is only between a man and a woman.

Celebrants must tell the gathering: "Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life" - or words to that effect. Increasingly, couples and officiators are joining forces to register their displeasure at the law and its requirements. At Abbey and Mitchell Johnston's wedding in February, guests were asked to cover their ears when celebrant Alison Bartlett read out the offending passage. Mrs Johnston came up with the idea after being informed over Skype that Ms Bartlett would be legally required to make the pronouncement. "That just did not sit easy with me," she told Fairfax Media. "It's a matter of equality. I just can't believe we live in a country where it's OK not to have equal rights for everyone." All attendees at the intimate ceremony enthusiastically blocked their ears, Mrs Johnston said, although they were technically still able to hear the all-important dictum. And Ms Bartlett fulfilled all her statutory duties as a celebrant.

The anti-gay portion was added to the ceremony in 2004. According to the above-linked report, other demonstrations of support have included turning off microphones during that portion of the ceremony or coughing loudly to drown out the line. Some couples have opted to add a statement of support after the required portion has been recited. (Tipped by JMG reader Brenton)

AUSTRALIA: Parliament Might Hold Free Vote On Same-Sex Marriage In August

Via Reuters:

Australia will soon decide whether to legalize same-sex marriage under a cross-party bill which may allow parliament members to vote according to their conscience, rather than along party lines, media reported on Wednesday. The debate over whether to follow countries like the United States and Ireland in recognizing same-sex marriage has strained relations between Australia's socially conservative Catholic Prime Minister Tony Abbott and members of his Liberal Party in favor of the change. A cross-party bill, sponsored by two Liberal Party lawmakers is expected to go to the federal parliament on Aug. 11, Sky News Australia said. There is speculation that Abbott may appease his own party members by allowing them the freedom to vote independently, in recognition that they favor the legislation. Abbott's sister is engaged to a woman and has called for bipartisan agreement.

The first day of spring in the southern hemisphere is September 23rd.

AUSTRALIA: Catholic Church Pressures Businesses To Back Off Marriage Support

The Archdiocese Of Sydney is ever so pissed at the 150+  Australian corporations that have placed a joint newspaper campaign in support of same-sex marriage.

The Catholic Church in Sydney is sending letters to companies that publicly support same-sex marriage, expressing its "grave concern" about their stance. The ABC has seen a copy of one letter addressed to the chairman of partners at Maurice Blackburn law firm, Steve Walsh, from the Archdiocese's business manager Michael Digges. "It is... with grave concern that I write to you about the Marriage Equality for Australians campaign," it reads. "You are publically supporting a strategic, political and well-funded campaign designed to pressure the Federal Government into changing the Marriage Act. For corporations to speak on such issues... is indeed overstepping their purpose and it is to be strongly resisted." Maurice Blackburn principal Liberty Sanger said she was not sure what the intention of the letter was, but either way the law firm would not be intimidated.

The letters contain veiled threats to boycott LGBT-supportive businesses, warning them that the church is a "significant user of goods and services."

AUSTRALIA: Where The MPs Stand

Australian Marriage Equality is asking citizens to reach out to their MPs and help push both legislative chambers into the majorities needed to pass same-sex marriage. As you can see, they are still 14 MPs short, but the undecideds could easily make up the difference.

160K Facebook Users Vow To Celebrate Divorce Of Anti-Gay Australian Couple

Over 160,000 Facebook users have "liked" a page that promises to celebrate the divorce of Australian couple Nick and Sarah Jensen, who gained global headlines last week when they vowed to legally separate should same-sex marriage become law down under. Via Pink News:

The Facebook page, which sets 1 September as a placeholder date for celebration, to be confirmed if and when legislation goes through, encourages celebration of the couple’s divorce. The page reads: “They have decided that being married together in a country where it’s legal for a man and a man to marry, or a woman and a woman, is just too horrible. They’d much rather be divorced and I think we should all support and celebrate in their decision when the date finally does come. “We sure hope there won’t be any backing out on their behalf as hundreds upon hundreds of gays and gay rights supporters come to rejoice in the parting ways of these narrow minded citizens which so many of us are ashamed to call Canberrans.” Despite their scary threat, however, the couple would find it difficult to divorce, as the Family Law Act states that both parties have to separate and live separately for at least twelve months in order to divorce.

Nick Jensen is the former director of the Australian Christian Lobby.

AUSTRALIA: Anti-Gay Couple May Not Be Able To Stay Together & Legally Divorce

Earlier this week an anti-gay Australian couple earned international headlines when they declared that that they will divorce in a symbolic stand against same-sex marriage. But as it turns out, their plan to remain living together may thwart any divorce under Australian law.

The Family Law Act states that an application for divorce will only be considered if the parties had separated and lived separately for a continuous period of at least 12 months. Family lawyer Denis Farrar said the court also needs to be satisfied that there is no reasonable likelihood of cohabitation being resumed. "It surprises me that any sensible person would make such a threat, because you can't get a divorce unless you've been separated for 12 months," he said. "It doesn't sound like Mr Jensen could truthfully swear that those facts are correct. And in that case he may apply for a divorce, but he won't get it unless he lies."

Mr Jensen conceded the Family Law Act may throw a spanner in the works. "There will be issues around the fact that we would have to prove that our marriage was irreconcilably broken, which it isn't," he said. But Mr Jensen said he and his wife could look at a legal challenge, which would leave them effectively fighting for their right to get divorced. "It would be quite ironic if the state wouldn't actually allow us to get divorced," he said. "If a group of people got together and said 'actually, we want to take this to the courts', then maybe that would be something we'd be involved with. It's something we take very seriously, and we feel in our conscience that we can't actually partake in any redefined marriage."

Jensen, not incidentally, is the former director of the Australian Christian Lobby.

AUSTRALIA: Corporate Support For Gay Marriage Triples In New Full-Page Ad

Two weeks ago 53 corporations advertised their support for same-sex marriage in a full-page message that ran in major Australian newspapers. Today that number triples to 154 in the above message running in News Corp outlets owned by Rupert Murdoch. Among the companies joining in are McDonald's, Levis, Mastercard, Google, Twitter, H&M, Virgin, and Qantas.

Australian Headline Of The Day

From an Australian version of The Onion: "In response to threats from a Canberra couple to divorce were equal marriage laws to pass, a local couple in a committed same-sex relationship have in turn threatened to absolutely not give the slightest shit were that to happen. Local couple Brett and Harry have said that while they are not heterophobic and do their best to be open to all different kinds of views if this divorce does go ahead they will have no choice but to go on with their lives completely unaffected by such a dumb stunt." (Tipped by JMG reader John)

RELATED: See my post about the Canberra couple.

AUSTRALIA: Christian Couple Vows To Divorce If Gay Marriage Is Legalized

"My wife and I just celebrated our 10-year anniversary. But later this year, we may be getting a divorce. The decision to divorce is not one we’ve taken lightly. And certainly, it’s not one that many will readily understand. And that’s because it’s not a traditional divorce. Our view is that marriage is a fundamental order of creation. Part of God’s human history. Marriage is the union of a man and a woman before a community in the sight of God. And marriage of any couple is important to God regardless of whether that couple recognises God’s involvement or authority in it." - Nick Jansen, writing for Canberra's City News. Jansen adds that he and his future ex-wife will continue to live together. (Tipped by JMG reader Brenton)

AussieBum For Australia Marriage

Via Gay Star News:

Top Australian underwear and swimwear company AussieBum are doing their bit to support the campaign to legalize same-sex marriage in Australia by releasing a special line of underwear highlighting the issue. The Equality range of underwear retail for AU$21.45 and feature quotes and statistics about the level of support for the reform in Australia – and shipping is free. AussieBum will donate 100% of profits from the sale of underwear in its Equality range to Australian Marriage Equality who will use the money raised to help convince more MPs to go public with their support on the issue as it seems to be reaching a critical tipping point in Australia.

AUSTRALIA: Sydney Rallies For Marriage

AUSTRALIA: Gay Marriage Bill Introduced

Via the Sydney Morning Herald:

Labor leader Bill Shorten has introduced a bill to legislate same-sex marriage to near-empty government benches. Telling fellow MPs the "opportunity of a generation" was before them, Mr Shorten also drew on former prime minister Gough Whitlam's famous line, "it's time". "Let this law reflect the nation we all want to see in the mirror," the Labor leader said. "Generous, smart, modern, diverse and above all, equal." Mr Shorten's wife, Chloe, watched from the public galleries as he delivered a short speech, introducing a bill that would change the definition of marriage to "the union of two people". Labor senators Penny Wong and Katy Gallagher and ACT chief minister Andrew Barr were also in the chamber. But despite the strong Labor showing, the Coalition side of the House of Representatives was almost empty, with less than a handful of government MPs in attendance. There is no obligation on the Coalition to watch a private member's bill be introduced, other than the required number of duty MPs.

Christine Forster, openly lesbian sister of Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, says she's confident that same-sex marriage will be approved by the end of the year.

"I've always had full confidence that it was coming and that we would get there, and in the last few months, I've been increasingly confident that we would get there before the end of 2015," she told ABC's Lateline. Forster said it would be 'one of the proudest moments of my life' if reform came under the leadership of her brother, who is a Catholic and vocal opponent of gay marriage. "I think it's highly appropriate that it would come under the prime ministership of Tony Abbott, because he is a wonderfully generously-spirited man," she said. "'He is a very good and fair and decent human being and he, at the end of the day, I'm sure, will understand that this is something that is good and fair for everybody and that it will be great for Australia."

Watch Shorten introduce his bill.

AUSTRALIA: Major Corporations Publish Full Page Ad In Support Of Gay Marriage

Via ABC News Australia:

Some of Australia's biggest businesses have thrown their weight behind the push for gay marriage, with a full-page newspaper advertisement today. Corporations including Google, Qantas, Optus and the ANZ and Commonwealth banks have put their names to a list of Australian businesses backing marriage equality. Others supporters include law firms Slater and Gordon and Gilbert and Tobin, and the Football Federation of Australia. Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome said the corporations approached the organisation send the message that Australia's business community was behind marriage equality. "It was about corporate saying it's not just about us individually supporting this, we want to do it collectively and send the strongest possible message," Mr Croome said.

The same-sex marriage debate has gained momentum this week on the back of Ireland's hugely successful referendum at the weekend. This morning, Coalition MP Warren Entsch said a number of Labor and Greens MPs had said they were willing to co-sponsor a same-sex marriage bill. "I have spoken to members across parties and independents, all have agreed that they're happy to put their names and signatures to this," Mr Entsch said. "It's just a matter of finalising it." Labor is preparing to introduce its own bill on Monday and Mr Entsch said he was working on a cross-party solution and expected to have a draft bill ready by August. Prime Minister Tony Abbott has emphasised any moves to legalise gay marriage must be owned by the Parliament, not a single party.

See more at Australian Marriage Equality.

AUSTRALIA: Opposition Leader Says "Grab The Opportunity" Given By Ireland's Vote

"Bill Shorten believes it's time for marriage equality and that's why he'll introduce a bill into Parliament next Monday."

AUSTRALIA: Opposition Labor Party Leader Bill Shorten To Introduce Marriage Equality Bill Next Week

Via Gay Star News:

Australian Opposition leader Bill Shorten has become the first leader of a major political party to put forward legislation to allow same-sex marriage in Australia just days after more members of the conservative wing of his party announced they now would vote in favor of marriage equality. Shorten, leader of the Australian Labor Party, put his intention in writing earlier today, giving notice to the Parliament that he will table such a bill when the House of Representatives meets on Monday. "I give notice that, at the next sitting I will present a bill for an Act to amend the Marriage Act 1961 to establish marriage equality, and for related purposes," a document signed by Shorten and seconded by deputy opposition leader Tanya Plibersek reads.

More from the Sydney Morning Herald:

Momentum is building in Parliament for change following Ireland's successful referendum at the weekend. Mr Abbott has conceded he is the last person in his own family to still believe gay and lesbian couples should not be allowed to marry. NSW Liberal Democrat senator David Leyonhjelm has introduced a "Freedom to Marry" bill in the Senate but is holding off on bringing on a vote until he can be guaranteed there is enough support in the Parliament. The Greens plan to bring forward a Senate debate on that party's marriage equality bill next month. The party has also set November 12 for a Senate vote, before Parliament rises for the summer. Several key Labor Right figures, including frontbenchers Chris Bowen, Ed Husic and Tony Burke, have recently declared their support for change. But if Liberals are not not allowed to vote freely, there will not be enough numbers to pass the bill.

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull today predicted that same-sex marriage will be a reality by the end of the year, saying: "I have never seen a social issue which has changed attitudes as rapidly as this one. So my feeling is that it is very likely to pass."