Tasmanian Ceremonies Formalised

Local News, By Joal, 1st October, 2009

It seems the smaller states are leading the charge in gay marriage equality. Tasmania recently joined the ACT in the fight.

Tasmania couples have been able to formalise their relationships in a register, but from November 1 they will be able to legally formalise their ceremonies as well. From the start of next month, marriage celebrants in Tasmania may preside over same-sex couple’s ceremonies, as well as having their union registered with the state’s births, deaths and marriages department.

Same-sex couples in Tasmania have been able to register their relationships since 2003, but formalising the ceremonies, Tasmanian Attorney-General Lara Giddings told the ABC, will bring ‘dignity’ to the unions.

“In the past what they did was turn up to the registry office as you do to register your dog, you would turn up to register your relationship. Now quite rightly people felt that that did not give their relationship the dignity they wanted it to have,” said Giddings yesterday.

The Australian Capital Territory’s government is currently in the process of attempting to introduce a same-sex marriage bill.