"Labor's policy of opposing marriage equality is clearly splitting at the seams and it's time for the Party to move to a position that is more realistic, representative and principled."
- Alex Greenwich, Australian Marriage Equality

Two more ALP federal election candidates have said they support same-sex marriage, prompting marriage equality advocates to declare that the Labor Party's opposition to same-sex marriage is "splitting at the seams".

Steven Hurd in the Melbourne seat of Kooyong and Steven Lewis in the Sydney seat of Wentworth have both confirmed to Australian Marriage Equality (AME) that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry, and have both called for a conscience vote within Labor ranks. AME National Convener, Alex Greenwich, said he has personally spoken to both candidates to thank them for their support.

“Mr Hurd and Mr Lewis are courageous ALP candidates who are prepared to stand up to their party's discriminatory marriage policy in order to reflect the majority opinion of their constituents and the Australian people”.

"We believe many other Labor candidates also support full equality and we endorse their call for a Labor conscience vote."

"Labor's policy of opposing marriage equality is clearly splitting at the seams and it's time for the Party to move to a position that is more realistic, representative and principled."

Hurd and Lewis join ALP candidate for the seat of Melbourne, Cath Botwell, who announced her support for same-sex marriage when she was endorsed to replace retiring member, Lindsay Tanner.

“Mr Hurd and Mr Lewis's stand puts pressure on Labor candidates in other inner-city seats such as Anthony Albanese and Tanya Plibersek, openly-gay Labor candidates such as Senator Penny Wong, and on the Liberal candidate for Wentworth, Malcolm Turnbull who is known for his socially-progressive views", Mr Greenwich said.

"Maintaining their opposition to marriage equality will inevitably cost candidates like Albanese, Plibersek and Turnbull votes, and it is time for them to re-think their stance."

Earlier this week Senator Wong was condemned by gay activists for the disappointment she caused by her support of the current ALP policy opposing same-sex marriage because ‘‘On the issue of marriage I think the reality is there is a cultural, religious, historical view around that which we have to respect".

Mr Greenwich pointed to AME’s successful letterboxing campaign, polling, advertising, and lobbying work as a major contributor to creating a pathway for candidates to come out in support of same-sex marriage.

For further information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421316335
ALP Candidate Steven Lewis can be reached on 0414 383 647
ALP Candidate Steven Hurd can be reached on 0402 580 446

For more information on Steven Lewis’s support for marriage equality in Wentworth see
http://wentworth-courier.whereilive.com.au/news/story/labors-man-for-wentworth-supports-gay-marriage
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Mr Greenwich also welcomed comments from, Rebecca Docherty, Liberal National Party candidate in Kevin Rudd's Brisbane-based seat of Griffith, which are at odds with the strong opposition to marriage equality from Coalition leader, Tony Abbott. Ms Docherty told Grazia magazine that,

"I have a number of gay and lesbian friends. When you're under 35, it means nothing. I don't think a marriage certificate is hugely important, but I understand why gay couples want the recognition."

"Hurd, Lewis and Docherty are part of a new generation of candidates for whom opposition to same-sex marriage is as dated as the dinosaur", Mr Greenwich said.