What exactly is Australia known for? Not just our beautiful landscape and fascinating native animals, but the reputation of our people. Are we known as an inclusive and accepting society while demonstrating equality for all citizens? Good afternoon everyone, I extend a warm welcome to you all as we meet here at the RSL today. Many Australians would also include this very location in our culture, meeting here for Saturday night bingo and pokies, and early in the morning on ANZAC Day. However, today I wish to explain to you all what I would in fact, change about Australia. We are so often referred to as the “free” and “lucky” country. Although that is what we are known for, our laws and regulations do …show more content…
The number of same-sex relationships has more than tripled in the last 20 years. However, until 1989, homosexuality was a capital crime, included as a part of the sodomy and buggery laws, which prohibited certain relationships that were deemed “unnatural”. These offences lead to the death penalty. To have these laws actually practised in our society, it doesn’t sound very fair, does it? How can we be known as “free” and “lucky” for stopping certain couples from love? Although those unjust laws were decriminalised 27 years ago, the inequity continues to this day as we still have no marriage equality laws. Further discrimination is proven to the lesbian, gay and bisexual community as the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 recognises these different sexualities, but does not create equal laws to validate their marriage. This forms a separation between heterosexual couples and homosexual couples, leading to discrimination and alienation of these groups. Unfairly, a dangerous environment has been created for these people to live with as many hate crimes occur against these people, most often resulting in death. Just because of their sexuality. As they are absent of the same protection as other citizens, this fact explicitly debunks the name of a “free, safe and lucky” country as not all of our citizens are safe and have equal opportunities to live