The legal and medical
professions in NSW have united in support of the introduction of marriage
equality laws.
The President of the New South Wales Bar
Association Arthur Moses SC, the President of The Law Society of NSW Pauline
Wright and the President of the Australian Medical Association (NSW) Professor
Brad Frankum have come together to express their support for same sex marriage
legislation at the federal level.
Our organisations support the introduction of
marriage equality laws and consider that legislation that discriminates on the
basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is fundamentally wrong, Mr
Moses, Ms Wright and Professor Frankum said.
The President of the Law Society of NSW Pauline
Wright said denying couples of the same sex the choice to enter a civil
marriage contravened the principle of equality before the law.
“The Law Society of NSW is committed to
ensuring that all Australians are equal before the law in rights and dignity,
regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” Ms Wright said.
“Failing to recognise same-sex marriage can
have a negative impact on the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTI people and
their families, including those in the legal profession.
“It may also amount to discrimination on the
basis of sexual orientation which is contrary to the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, to which Australia is a signatory.”
NSW Bar Association President Arthur Moses SC said
it was an extraordinary step for the medical and legal profession to speak with
one voice on an issue.
“This is an important issue. The rule of law requires
that all Australians are treated equally,” Mr Moses said.
“Discrimination in the Marriage Act on the
basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is contrary to the rule of
law."
Australian Medical Association (NSW) Professor
Brad Frankum said he was very proud of the AMA position statement in favour of
marriage equality.
“I’m very happy to be joining the Law Society
of NSW and NSW Bar Association to campaign jointly on this issue,” Professor
Frankum said.
“We know that marriage laws, as they exist now,
have adverse health consequences for gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, and
intersex people.
“Doctors have a duty to both treat and prevent
illness and for me that also means rejecting discrimination in all its forms.”
Source: media release
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