Marriage Equality: The International Experience

As the Federal Government considers three private members bills to legalise same sex marriage, the Whitlam Institute and Catalyst are pleased to announce a forum exploring the experience of countries that have adopted laws providing for marriage equality.

Marriage Equality: the International Experience is being held at the Trades Hall Auditorium in Haymarket on Friday 2nd March at 5pm.

Two respected international figures, guests of Australian Marriage Equality, will address the issue of marriage equality by drawing on their legislative experience and the existing body of relevant research.

Professor Lee Badgett is an American scholar, researcher and author of the award winning book When Gay People Get Married: what happens when societies legalize same-sex marriage. She has conducted groundbreaking research into the impact of marriage equality overseas, assessing the benefits for same-sex partners, their families and the wider community, including economic and financial benefits.

Boris Dittrich is a long-time human rights campaigner and former Dutch MP. During his time in parliament, Mr Dittrich introduced legislation that saw the Netherlands become the first country in the world to allow same-sex marriages. Mr Dittrich is now the Advocacy Director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Rights Program at Human Rights Watch in New York.

Introducing the speakers will be the campaign director for Australian Marriage Equality, Rodney Croome OAM.

Entry is free, however places are limited so registration is essential. Please RSVP to info@whitlam.org or by calling 02 9685 9187.

Media are asked to register their interest by contacting the UWS Media Unit at media@uws.edu.au

WHAT: Marriage Equality, the International Experience forum, presented by the Whitlam Institute and Catalyst
WHEN: 5pm - 6.30pm, Friday the 2nd of March 2012
WHERE: Trades Hall Auditorium, 4-10 Goulburn St (Haymarket) Sydney
RSVP: info@whitlam.org or by calling 02 9685 9187. Ends 23 February 2012

Ends

23 February 2012

Contact: Mark Smith, Media Officer