person:hobart alderman

  • Gay marriage beach BBQ ’great success’ in Tasmania
    Over 200 people hit the beach for Australian state’s first ever barbecue in support of equal marriage legislation
    03 December 2012 | By Matthew Jenkin
    Hundreds attend Tasmania’s first Marriage Equality Beach BBQ
    Photo by Rafael Manzanilla

    Tasmania’s first Marriage Equality Beach BBQ has been hailed ’a great success’ after over 200 people attended.

    Event organiser Helen Richardson said the popularity of the barbecue in the Australian state’s capital Hobart yesterday (2 December) shows marriage equality has strong community support.

    ’Today’s BBQ sent a message to Upper House members, particularly Jim Wilkinson in whose electorate the event was held, that marriage equality has strong support across the community.

    ’Supporters of marriage equality are saying loud and clear to Legislative Councillors who voted against the legislation, that we are in 2012 not 1912.

    ’It’s time all Tasmanians, regardless of sexual orientation, are able to marry their life partner.’

    In September this year Tasmania became the first Australian state to pass marriage equality legislation through a lower house of parliament.

    The bill was narrowly defeated by two votes in the Upper House and the state government has promised to re-introduce it in the New Year.

    Speakers at the barbecue included Hobart Alderman, Helen Burnett, local resident, mum and same-sex partner, Jo Richardson, Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Rodney Croome and Rainbow Labor spokesperson, Robbie Moore.

    Croome said marriage equality supporters will continue to advocate for reform up until the legislation returns, while Moore announced a marriage equality protest outside the office of Upper House member, Vanessa Goodwin, on 19 December.

    Both Jim Wilkinson and Vanessa Goodwin voted against the State Government’s Same-Sex Marriage Bill.