Gay and lesbian couples and their family and friends who live in the electorates of Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott are ready to meet the two political leaders following Parliament's endorsement of a motion calling on all MPs to gauge support for same-sex marriage in their electorates.

Gay and lesbian couples and their family and friends who live in the electorates of Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott are ready to meet the two political leaders following Parliament's endorsement of a motion calling on all MPs to gauge support for same-sex marriage in their electorates.

Australian Marriage Equality National Convener, Alex Greenwich, said Julia Gillard has repeatedly turned down requests for meetings from AME and from other high profile advocates for reform.

"Supporters of equality in Julia Gillard's electorate are clamouring to meet her, and given her support for the Greens' motion, we expect her to oblige", Mr Greenwich said.

"Even though he voted against the motion, we hope Tony Abbott will also meet with the supporters of equality in his electorate."

Today the Lower House of Parliament voted for a motion from newly-elected Greens' MP, Adam Bandt, calling on MPs to gauge the views of their constituents on marriage equality. The motion follows a series of opinion polls showing a clear majority of Australians support reform.

Mr Greenwich said, "We expect all MPs to take this opportunity to open their hearts and minds to the stories of everyday same-sex couples and to listen carefully to how discrimination in the Marriage Act adversely affects these couples and their families".

"Over the coming weeks AME will call on its supporter base of 15,000 people to help facilitate couples, parents, grandparents, siblings and friends to meet with their local federal MP and Senators."

Federal Parliament is not expected to vote on a Marriage Equality Bill until later next year and it is hoped that the personal stories shared in meetings during that time will convince many MPs to support equality.

"When a vote on marriage equality is taken, sometime next year, this parliament will have the opportunity to make history and send the message that all love is equal"

"If not they will be remembered as the Parliament that heard the cries for equality, but chose to give love a cold shoulder"

Further Comment:

Boswell challenged to pub debate

Marriage equality advocates have challenged Queensland National Senator Ron Boswell to a debate on marriage equality in any pub anywhere in Australia following Boswell's statement on Tuesday that ''I will happily take any Labor (MP) to the front bar of any working class pub. He can advocate gay marriage and I will happily stand back and hold his coat.''

Mr Greenwich said, "polls show a majority of men and a majority of blue collar workers support marriage equality, so we're confident we'd receive a fair hearing and are happy to debate Senator Boswell anywhere any time."

Albanese, Wong and Plibersek asked to rule out civil unions

Following yesterday's reports of an alleged secret deal in the Labor Party to enact a national civil union scheme involving left-faction leader Anthony Albanese and openly-gay Senator Penny Wong, AME has challenged leaders of Labor's left-faction to rule out such a scheme which they say is not full equality.

Mr Greenwich said, "We respect that Senator Penny Wong, Anthony Albanese, and Tanya Plibersek may be prevented from supporting marriage equality due to their Cabinet posts, but there is nothing stoping them ruling out a scheme that will sell-short the gay community and legally entrench a second-class status for same-sex relationships."

Labor conference move welcomed

AME has welcomed a decision by Prime Minister Julia Gillard to move the Labor Party's next National Conference forward to December 2011 in order to tackle the issue of marriage equality.

Mr Greenwich said. "Australians support reform and should not be expected to wait indefinitely for change. AME still endorses a conscience vote on the issue but Labor's decision to review its party policy against reform is welcome because it shows Labor is genuine about dealing this issue. Labor MPs know they cannot go to the next election without resolving this issue because if they do they will inevitably lose more seats to the Greens".

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