We win some, we lose some.

Hello wonderful supporters of equality!

We have a problem. We do not want WhyCantWeGetMarried.com to be just about equality for the queer community, we want it to be about equality for all because discrimination based on difference doesn't make sense to us. The issue is, we regularly seem to come across news and support for queer rights so the quest for racial and religious equality seems significantly quieter. If you have ideas or information that might be helpful, please feel free to write to me and let me know.

In this update:
1. Same-sex marriage ban in 3 North American States but a fairer America on its way
2. 'Stop Honour Killings'
3. A giant leap towards equality in Australia

Thank you again for all your support.
Much love

Kristiana
WhyCantWeGetMarried.com

1. Same-sex marriage ban in 3 North American States but a fairer America on its way

Unfortunately, earlier this month a proposition to redefine marriage as being between a man and a woman (and thereby excluding same-sex couples) was passed in 3 North American states; California, Arizona and Florida. An appeal against the decision has been launched in California and we will let you know what the result is. The states of Connecticut and Massachusetts still recognise same-sex unions and hopefully with Obama as president elect more states will afford equality for all.

In a recent blog Obama talks about the Obama-Biden Plan to strengthen civil rights and support the LGBT community. If this blog is a promise to the North American people, a more fair society for all is what we can expect.

2. 'Stop Honour Killings'

'Stop Honour Killings' is a website designed to raise awareness of and protect the 5000 or so victims of honour killings. Many of the individuals in this statistic are murdered for loving someone who is from a different religion or culture and WhyCantWeGetMarried.com cannot understand how murder for loving someone can be justified.

This site is responsible for some amazing campaigns and is a great source of information about the injustices that occur worldwide in connection to honour killings.

3. A giant leap towards equality in Australia

Speaking of amazing campaigns and information I got a really exciting email from GetUp this morning. See below.

Thank you to all who followed the link from our site and signed the campaign!
p.s. You can see below for a free sticker showing your support.

---------- Original message ----------
From: GetUp
Date: Tue, Nov 25, 2008 at 9:37 AM
Subject: Congratulations on coming out for equality

Dear WhyCantWeGetMarried.com,

Last night the Senate passed historic legislation removing outdated discrimination against same s-x* couples in scores of laws ranging from tax, superannuation and Medicare to social security, health, aged care and employment.

You joined over 53,000 GetUp members on the petition calling for an end to this unfair discrimination and were at the forefront of demonstrating to our politicians that now is the time for equal rights.

Congratulations.

To celebrate the passing of these laws we've created a free commemorative sticker as a small way of showing that your support helped to create real change for same s-x couples. Click here to order your free sticker.

The passing of this long overdue legislation marks years of campaigning to end discrimination against same s-x couples. Congratulations are due to the many organisations and individuals like you who campaigned to end this discrimination.

Only when we can demonstrate that the community's attitudes are out of step with our laws will our politicians follow - and you were an integral part of that process. Click here to order your free sticker.

Thanks for working towards a progressive Australia,
The GetUp team

PS - Commemorate this historic day, click here to order you free sticker.
* Please note - the "e" in this word has been removed to avoid spam email filters.

GetUp is an independent, not-for-profit community campaigning group. We use new technology to empower Australians to have their say on important national issues. We receive no political party or government funding, and every campaign we run is entirely supported by voluntary donations. If you'd like to contribute to help fund GetUp's work, please donate now! If you have trouble with any links in this email, please go directly to www.getup.org.au. To unsubscribe from GetUp, please click here.
Authorised by Simon Sheikh, Level 2, 294 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000