Construction Union Joins Equal Love

Local News, By Travis de Jonk, 30th October, 2009

The Construction Union is the most recent organisation to join in the right for Equal rights. The endorsement for the for the November 28 Same-sex marriage rally and Year of Action launch came from the Construction Division of the CFMEU (Construction Forestery Mining Energy Union) in Victoria. Equal Love organizers say that they are delighted at receiving another Trade union endorsement.

“Building and Construction workers have had to fight hard for their rights in what is a deadly industry, the fact they see our struggle against the government as an issue about basic civil rights and something worth supporting is very heartening” commented James Vigus, Co-convenor of Equal Love.

The Construction Division of the CFMEU support for the rally means they join the Australian Education Union (AEU) and the National Tertiary Union (NTEU), in supporting Equal Love’s Rally, whilst a sustained push in a number of other unions means a flood of union endorsements are expected very soon according to a number of union activists.

“Trade Union support should not come as a surprise to the government, nor members of the LGBTI community. Support for Same-sex marriage is overwhelming in broader Australian society from blue collar workers to white collar workers, amongst students through to older people, it is clear the mass of people want Same-sex marriage ban lifted immediately”

Groups around the country have been busy gearing up for large demonstrations on November 28 to launch the Year of Action for Same-Sex Marriage. The Australian Senate is due to release a landmark report on same-sex marriage two days before the protests, and Equal Love organizers intend to send a clear message to the Government that the time for marriage equality is now.

The Senate is conducting an inquiry into the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009 introduced by Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young. If enacted, it would redefine “marriage” under the Marriage Act in gender-neutral terms to allow for same-sex marriage. The Senate has received more than 20,000 submissions from groups and individuals either in favour of or against same-sex marriage.

The Equal Love Same Sex Marriage Rallies take place on November 28th 2009 at these locations.

Melbourne (State Library), Sydney (Sydney Town Hall), Adelaide (Parliament House), Canberra (Garema Place, Civic), Brisbane (Queens Park, City – Opp. Treasury Casino)