Time to legislate against discrimination
The AMA welcomes today’s strong ‘YES’ vote (61.6 per cent) from the same sex marriage national postal survey.
AMA President, Dr Michael Gannon, said that the Federal Parliament must now heed the overwhelming message from the Australian people and legislate for marriage equality.
“It is time to end the discrimination and lift the health burden from our LGBTIQ population,” Dr Gannon said.
“The AMA clearly expressed its support for same sex marriage with our Position Statement on Marriage Equality earlier this year.
“Along with the majority of Australians, as shown by today’s survey result, the AMA believes that two loving adults should be able to have their relationship formally recognised.
“This is not a debate about same sex parenting or religious freedom or the school curriculum - it is about ending a form of discrimination.
“There are evidence-based health implications arising from discrimination.
“Discrimination has a severe, damaging impact on mental and physiological health outcomes.
“People who identify as LGBTIQ experience substantially poorer mental and physiological health outcomes than the broader population.
“They are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviours such as illicit drug use or alcohol abuse, and have the highest rates of suicidality of any population group in Australia.
“LGBTIQ Australians are our doctors, nurses, teachers, politicians, police officers, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters and they deserve the same rights as every other person.
“The AMA wants to see an end to all forms of discrimination against LGBTIQ Australians.
“It is now up to our Parliament to act.
“We hope to see this matter resolved before the end of the year and we urge all Australians to respect the rights of LBGTIQ people, their families, and friends.
“More than 25 other countries have already passed same sex legislation. Australia should join them.”
15 November 2017
CONTACT: John Flannery 02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761
Maria Hawthorne 02 6270 5478 / 0427 209 753
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