I’m a little confused when it comes to marriage rights in Australia. When we came over our relationship status was that of “interdependent partners”. Australia has been ahead of the US in recognizing gay relationships for immigration purposes, but “interdependent” could just as well indicate someone taking care of grandma. In July the laws changed and we could be considered “de facto spouses” which goes a lot farther to equality. While straight couples can get married, they can also opt of being de facto spousal relations.
The part that confuses me is the ‘talk’ is that the government wants to end any discrimination, but only heterosexual couples can have a legal ceremony. From my background the ceremony is important to the couple but legally meaningless. What makes a legal marriage in the US is the piece of paper that’s been filed with the county clerk.
The Australian Capital Territory has passed a law to allow gay couples to have a ceremony – being careful to communicate that it’s not supposed to be like straight-folk marriage. The Rudd government has promised to overturn the legislation, but couples are starting to get married ceremonied whatevered – and it sounds like any that take place will remain after the law is overturned. (that sounds even dumber to me – like California). I would have thought if it were going to act, it should have done so before the law went into effect. I think I need to find an Australian who can explain it to me like I was a dumb American.
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