Gay marriage is supported by more Australians than ever before, but Prime Minister Julia Gillard won't be swayed.
Gillard has disappointed Australians who support same-sex marriage, confirming she will oppose a change in legislation that would allow gay couples to wed.
In an article published in The Age today, Gillard wrote she would back a conscience vote for Labor MPs on gay marriage, but opposition to gay marriage would stay in the ALP platform, to be debated at next month's party conference in Sydney.
Gillard repeated her opposing stance on the issue, saying that the government will not move legislation to change the Marriage Act.
''My position flows from my strong conviction that the institution of marriage has come to have a particular meaning and standing in our culture and nation and that should continue unchanged,'' she said.
But the people want change. The Prime Minister's firm position is at odds with the majority of Australians, as shown in a poll published in The Sydney Morning Herald today.
The public is warming up to same-sex marriage, with only 31 percent opposing same-sex marriage. That figure was at 37 percent only a year ago.
High profile doctor and gay rights advocate, Professor Kerryn Phelps recently celebrated her marriage to partner Jackie Stricker in New York.
In an interview in this month's Australian Women's Weekly, they both expressed their disappointment in the Australian government for not supporting same-sex marriage.
"The legal recognition is validation of your relationship that you can't actually explain until it happens," Jackie told The Weekly.
"Suddenly, everyone's equal and that's what it's all about. And getting married made me feel a part of that. It also made me very angry with Australia because [our marriage is] now recognised all over the world, and then you go back to your own country and you're not."
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