Love Makes a Family Campaign

Act now bannerfact #1: Not all children are treated equally under Victorian law.
 fact #2: Right now you can help remove this discrimination.
 fact #3:  It’s love that makes a family!

 

fact #1: Not all children are treated equally under Victorian law.

 In 2002 the Victorian Government asked the Victorian Law Reform Commission to conduct an enquiry into all laws relevant to reproductive technology and adoption, and their impacts on children, including those with same-sex parents.


During its five-year enquiry the Commission reviewed three decades of research and received over 1000 submissions. In June 2007 the Commission reported to the Government that:

 

The Commission made 130 recommendations, including changing the law and birth certificates to recognise same-sex parented families, and removing discriminatory barriers to fertility treatment, adoption and surrogacy for same-sex couples and single people.

To read the report call 8619 8619 or visit www.lawreform.vic.gov.au.

  

fact #2: Right now you can help remove this discrimination.

Love Makes a Family is a community campaign coordinated by the Rainbow Families Council, supported by the ALSO Foundation and the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby.

 

We work for legal and social recognition of same-sex parented children and their families. So far we have helped motivate and support hundreds of people affected by the laws to have their say in the Commission’s Enquiry.

 

Our job now is to convince all 128 Victorian Members of Parliament that these reforms are needed by children and families, and supported by the broader community. We must show them that this is about real children, real parents and real families.

 

Everyone can help: lesbian and gay parents and prospective parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, friends and workmates.

 

The best thing you can do to help is to visit your local MP to tell them why you think the laws need to change, and how law reform will affect you and your family. You don’t have to know all the technical details. Just talk about your own story and views.

 

SO WHAT DO YOU DO TO HELP?

There are two ways to go about it.

 

You can fill in our MP Visit Registration Form, and one of our MP Visit Advisers (people who have already visited their MPs) will contact you to talk you through the process, give you your local MP contacts and lots of other resources, and be available for debriefing after your visit.

 

OR you can simply download our resources, find your MP contacts yourself, and go ahead with your visit. Don't forget to email us at lmaf@vic.chariot.net.au or phone 0411 593 607 and let us know how you went!

 

You have one lower house Member of Parliament (MLA) for your local electorate, and five upper house Members (MLCs) representing your area. To find them, ring the Victorian Electoral Commission on 13 18 32 or look under “Members” at www.parliament.vic.gov.au.

 

We have lots of resources to make it easy to visit your MP. Download the Handy Hints and Cheat Sheet below for quick reference, or look through our Information Pack.

MP Visits Handy Hints Sheetdownloads: 321 | type: pdf | size: 333 kB

How to find your MP, make an appointment, what you might say and FAQs.
MP Visit Cheat Sheetdownloads: 333 | type: pdf | size: 317 kB

Summary of useful status and facts, including a table with current laws, impacts on children and families and relevant VLRC recommendations.
"Three facts" flyerdownloads: 256 | type: pdf | size: 420 kB

This plain language flyer explains what discrimination exists in Victoria against children and rainbow families, and how you can help.

Now’s the time family and friends can REALLY show their support. Encourage them to visit their MPs, or go together.

 

In August and September, the campaign is targeting the 20 ALP Members of Parliament who are Ministers in the Victorian Government. 206 towns and suburbs are represented by Ministers, click here to find out if you live in one that is - we need you!

 

Collect signatures for a Parliamentary Petition supporting reform

 

Here's another easy way to support the campaign. Fiona Richardson, Member for Northcote, has put together a Parliamentary Petition supporting reform. Please download the petition, collect signatures and send back to Fiona.

 

fact #3: It’s love that makes a family!

In 2007 there is no denying that Australian families are diverse. There are children living across Victoria with same-sex parents. It’s in their best interests to have certainty about their parents’ legal status, and for all parents to be subject to the usual responsibilities. Discriminatory laws do not stop people from creating loving homes and families. They simply undermine the rights of the children who live in our rainbow families. After all, it’s love that makes a family!

 

 

CAMPAIGN NEWS

 

Federal HREOC Same-Sex Same Entitlements report tabled in Parliament 11:20 PM, Jun 21 2007

Rainbow Families Council welcomes the final report of the federal Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission report, which found that 58 federal laws discriminate against same-sex couples, many of them also discriminating against children of same-sex couples. 

Read More
Victorian Attorney General launches final VLRC Report 10:31 PM, Jul 09 2007

The Victorian Law Reform Commission’s report was tabled in the Victorian Parliament on June 7 and formally launched today (June 21) by the Victorian Attorney General. And the news for rainbow families and prospective parents is excellent. 

Read More

 

  

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