Rainbow Family Photo Campaign
URGENT: Ask Your MPs to Support Law Reform
Nov 2008: The Upper House of Victorian Parliament has backed proposed law reform that will remove discrimination for same sex couples in accessing Assisted Reproductive Technology and will provide legal recognition for our families. The second reading vote passed 20 to 18. The Bill will now be sent to the Legislative Committee for discussion, and they will report back to the Parliament in early December. After then, the Upper House will take a final vote on the legislation
The changes would recognise same-sex parented families, open up access to fertility treatment and legalise altruistic surrogacy. BUT there is still NO GUARANTEE that the legislation (the Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill) will be passed in the Upper House. The numbers are looking extremely tight. Every single vote by every single MP in the Legislative Council will make a difference.
If the Bill does not get enough votes in the Upper House, that's the end of it. It's taken 10 years of campaigning to get this far. We may well not see any further reforms for another decade. We ALL need to do everything we can to maximise the Bill's chance of success.
Here are four things we can all do to help. These could really make a difference to the Bill getting the one extra vote (or abstention) we need, so please consider taking the time ASAP.
1. SEND A MESSAGE and/or PHOTO TO YOUR MPs
You have five MPs who represent your region in the Legislative Council (Upper House). Email your family photo and message to your five Legislative Council MPs. Urge them to support the Bill, and give them a real life example of the impact of the current laws on your family. We need to remind MPs that this is their chance to address the discrimination that exists in Victoria. You could attach a photo of your family, or one that includes extended family and/or friends, to show that there are many other people who support and love our children and families. (If you wish, you can ask that the photo be confidential and not for circulation).
Find out who your FIVE Legislative Council MPs are by going to http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/handbook/ and entering your street name and suburb. Or ring the Victorian Electoral Commission on 13 18 32.
For ideas on what to say, see these sample letters or a summary of the issues. In your message refer to the law reform as “the proposed law reform regarding access to assisted reproductive technology, parentage and altruistic surrogacy”.
It would also be very useful to ring them. If you can only speak to their Electorate Officer, leave your name and a message as above depending on if they are an ALP or Liberal MP.
You may also like to visit them to talk about the issues in person. We have handy hints and lots of info on our website about visiting your MP. You may get very keen, and be willing to send your photos to all MPs, or to the Premier, Attorney-General or all upper house MPs. Go for it!
2. HELP GIVE OUR MPs A REALITY CHECK
What's the worst thing that has happened to you or your family because of the current law? It has become clear to us that some MPs do not understand the real impact on our children if they vote NO to the ART Bill.
Please email the 40 Legislative Council members plus the Attorney General - see this page of the Parliament website for email addresses (http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/mlcs.html).
Then in no more than THREE sentences explain why this Bill must pass. Think about one of the many things you may worry about for your children or prospective children's sake, or a negative impact that has already happened, because of the current law. If you are a supportive family member or friend think about the children you know. Use children's first names to make it real. Encourage your friends and family to also send emails.
Put your name and contact details at the bottom of the email.
For example:
Example 1:
"My partner, Sarah, and I have three children under 3. My son Rafi, aged 2, has a peanut allergy which has already resulted in one emergency trip to hospiital. As the non-biological mum I am not recognised as his legal parent. I am worried that one day he may go into anaphylaxis and I won't be able to consent to his treatment in an emergency. This will not happen if the ART Bill passes. Please support the bill for Rafi's safe. If you can't vote YES please do not vote no".
3. Ask Five People to Take Action Too!
We need as wide a spread of people taking action as possible, so we reach MPs all over Victoria. Ask supportive family and friends to contact their Legislative Council MPs. You could give them this flyer (download below) to encourage them to show support. Or ask them to come to the gathering on 30 October at Parliament House -see below.
Lets make it personal - our children's rights are at risk.
 Rainbow Family Photo Campaign Flier pdf | downloads: 143 | type: pdf | size: 109 kB |
