Australian Military To Recognize Same-Sex Couples

[Chilihost]

I found this on 365gay:

(Sydney, Australia) The same-sex partners of members of the Australian Defense Force will be granted the same benefits as the spouses of married soldier a document obtained by a television network shows.

The ADF lifted the ban on gays serving openly in the military 13 years ago. Since then LGBT rights groups have fought for benefits for partners of servicvemembers.

Network 9 reports that an ADF memo indicates that same-sex partners will get access to family benefits, and death and injury compensation. They will also get housing assistance, travel, and education assistance.

The memo says that the benefits will be extended to all people in "interdependent" relationships.

"The government has agreed to changes to ADF policy that will extend the conditions of service which apply to member with dependents and member with dependants (separated) to include ADF personnel in interdependent relationships," the network quotes the ADF memo as saying.

"The new group will include ADF members who are involved in interdependent relationships with a same sex partner.

"ADF members who are in interdependent relationships will be able to apply to have their relationships recognized by the ADF for the same range of conditions of service as members who are currently in recognized relationships."

"Finally, they've seen sense," said Petty Officer Stuart O'Brien, a spokesperson for the Defense Gay & Lesbian Information Service.

"It's a huge step forward. It's the last piece of discrimination we've stamped out," he said.

TV 9 said that the new regulations will come into effect December 1, just before O'Brien ships out with his unit to Iraq. He said the idea that his partner of five years could be financially cared for if anything happened to him was comforting.

"Now it's even better. Should anything happen, my partner will be looked after," he said.

Its great to see this kind of news!

Luke

[Wowmediacash]

Sure is ! and in Australia too ! Obviously Mr Howard doesnt know yet

[Squirt]

Ironic they don't let Gays adopt here, or bring in children they adopt from other countries, but we can die for Australia? Second class citizens here.

[gaystoryman]

Yeah but in the States you can't even tell you are gay or you lose all your benefits & get turfed out... least in Australia they are MOVING forward... not BACKWARDS.

[Squirt]

Yeah but in the States you can't even tell you are gay or you lose all your benefits & get turfed out... least in Australia they are MOVING forward... not BACKWARDS.

Yeah and at least in the states you can get married, adopt children or hire a surrogate to have your own biological children.

I don't think you're trying to say the states are moving backwards in regards to gay rights and Australia is progressive.. are you?

[gaystoryman]

Let me see, four nations in the world only allow legal same sex marraiges... when did the USA become the 5th?

Let me see, in Canada and now Australia you can't be booted out for being gay... in the states military you are turfed and lose all benefits...

what would you call that?

[Squirt]

Let me see, four nations in the world only allow legal same sex marraiges... when did the USA become the 5th?

Let me see, in Canada and now Australia you can't be booted out for being gay... in the states military you are turfed and lose all benefits...

what would you call that?

I've lived in America most my life, Australia now over 3 years. There's obviously more to Gay rights then the army, marriage, and adopting children. All three of which you can do in the states being Gay, one of which has just become legal in Australia.

There is a big difference in U.S Gay culture vs Australian Gay culture. There are discrimination policies regarding the workplace, Gay persons legal standing in issues regarding will, child custody, hate crimes etc., just to mention a few. In a lot of these areas Australia is lagging behind most developed nations.

Any society advancing the rights of people in our community is a good thing, no matter where on earth it is, even if it's one of many small steps. :thumbsup:

[gaystoryman]

Yes there is a great deal more to 'gay rights' than just being able to be married, adopt or serve in the military.

[Hamilton Steele]

I have to give respect to the various gay communities of the world. The fight for recognition and equality has already been long and there is still much further it must go.

The simple truth of the matter is in a civilized society we are not concerned about who loves who! We are not worried about what someone else may or may not being doing in their bedroom.

And we are allowed to enjoy equal benefit of the law without concern of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender or economic class.

Yes it is a step in the right direction. I applaud it and say "It's about Fucking Time!"

[Squirt]

I have to give respect to the various gay communities of the world. The fight for recognition and equality has already been long and there is still much further it must go.

The simple truth of the matter is in a civilized society we are not concerned about who loves who! We are not worried about what someone else may or may not being doing in their bedroom.

And we are allowed to enjoy equal benefit of the law without concern of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender or economic class.

Yes it is a step in the right direction. I applaud it and say "It's about Fucking Time!"

What's the Gay environment in France? What kind of rights/culture do they have in France?

[Hamilton Steele]

What's the Gay environment in France? What kind of rights/culture do they have in France?

I'm going to call this as I see it. I try to approach everything with an open mind and no pre-conceptions. And if I can't do that, I acknowledge my perspective.

If someone wants to think I'm beating up the true french. Then that's their perogative.

Ok,

France claims and for all surface appearances, looks like a liberal culture. But the opposite is actually true. But this is typical of what I have come to discover of True French culture.

It is very much a "We say one thing. But practice another" society. On the surface it appears to be very liberal and most men are open to trying homesexuality at least once or twice in their lives.

However, the closet is most often defended with a a savage spirit. And not only does the majority of frenchmen want them to stay in the closet. But, the majority of gay frenchmen want remain in it.

Dialog, debate and the possiblity of changing this is often treated with the same "aloof and cold disdain" that is almost a sterio type of the true french.

I don't know if people lose their jobs, children, etc.
But I do know that even if they enjoy all the same benefits of french society, that gays still have a long way to go before they are openly embrassed by the common person.

But then again I must admit that maybe this fact of the True French Culture may not be limited to the gay community. I have my own stories of the hypocrasy based on my dialect and use of the lanugage, the fact I don't "Look French," the fact I'm photograph people nude and the fact I escort.

So maybe it is just the way they are. Perhaps if gays also like the closet---Perhaps there really is no problem and I'm just being judgemental.

But then again I would prefer a family membre feel comfortable to bring the person they love to my home for dinner. I don't want anyone to be scared of me based on what gender they love.

[chadknowslaw]

Let me see, four nations in the world only allow legal same sex marraiges... when did the USA become the 5th?

Let me see, in Canada and now Australia you can't be booted out for being gay... in the states military you are turfed and lose all benefits...

what would you call that?

The State of Massachusetts has full same-sex marriage. Vermont has civil unions which is marriage by another name. New Jersey, California, Connecticut all have domestic partnerships which have most of the legal rights and responsibilities of marriage. Washington State's Supreme Court will soon rule on gay marriage in that state. New York State also has court cases working their way through the system. So, there actually is marriage available but definitely not available widely yet, and there are the vehement anti-gay forces working furiously to turn back all the advancements we have made. Which reminds me--somebody really needs to call "bullshit" on the so-called Christian churches of America. Their biggest issue right now? Feeding the hungry? Tending the sick? Clothing the naked?? NO!! Their biggest issue is stopping gays and lesbians from gaining the legal rights and responsibilities of marriage. That isn't very Christian-like if you ask me. So I am calling "bullshit"

There is no country that has it all. Canada comes close, but the damn cold winters there make it inhospitable for this desert dweller. Luckily gay rights are advancing on many fronts, and those fighting for rights historically [and given enough time] have always won out over those fighting to keep them oppressed.