Thursday 1 December 2011

Desley Boyle says she's "so proud" of Civil Partnerships Bill

"Sometimes I'm so proud," Cairns MP Desley Boyle said in the aftermath of the Civil Partnerships Bill that was passed in Queensland State Parliament last night, 47 to 40.


The Public Gallery was so packed for the four-hour debate that they had to open a second room with a big screen that others could watch on.

Desley Boyle says it was a rare Parliamentary debate - a conscience vote.

"The Independents including Katter Party people, all spoke - very different views to mine - but at least they put their views on the line - they voted according to conscience," Desley Boyle said today.

"One person only spoke for the LNP saying they were united that this was just a political stunt and therefore they would oppose the Bill. They sat in an angry silence, some of them looking very uncomfortable," Boyle says.

"Many Labor members spoke with eloquence about the importance of validating and legalizing loving relationships and about the legalisation of human rights too long denied. It was truly, from my point of view, a validation of why it's worth standing for election, of why it's worth the daily struggle that is the lot of a politician and why Labor is, all the ways in which we fall short notwithstanding, still the right party to vote for."

"And it was for me, a re-affirmation at the end of my political career that a fair society for all Queenslanders is worth fighting for," Desley Boyle said.

12 comments:

Maynard said...

Does this mean Desley and his husband can come out of the closet now?

Paul said...

AFter all Labor's monumental stuff-ups that have affected thousands throughout the State THIS is the best they can do?

nomooremike said...

Congratulations Mike, can we expect an announcement soon?

Alison Alloway said...

What an incredible achievement. I well recall the times when homosexuality was illegal and gays were condemned to living their lives in the shadows. As a young girl growing up here, I witnessed violent acts towards suspected homosexuals and any male who did not meet the stereotypal macho male was villifed and ostracised.
We have come a long way as a society and the Bligh Government need congratulating for making Queensland a fairer society.

Terry Vance said...

What are the views from all the State political candidates on this? I don't recall seeing Gav King's views on same sex marriage, nor D.J. Hunt's.

D.J.HUNT said...

Terry, The difference btn us and the other party is we are upfront with people and have been consistent when we speak to people's face and when we vote. How can you say to people's face you support it, then vote against it?You can't trust people like that.
I do not support the changes to marriage definitions. I also do not support homophobic words or actions against the LGBTI community. I do not support violence, let alone against people based on their sexuality. I do not support LGBTI people being ridiculed or discriminated against based on their sexuality. That's why I volunteered to work as an LGBTI liaison officer when I was with the police in Cairns.
People may not agree with that position, but at least we're honest with people about it. If that is peoples one and only issue for voting then sorry, only The Greens support that, so you need to vote for them and I wish you luck.
I'm not going to pretend I would vote one way to suck up and con people to vote for me, then vote another like the LNP did.
If people look at the way in which we are addressing the other issues but give us a cross on this issue I accept that. But I'm sure we will end up with more ticks than crosses when compared with the others.Especially if the first 2 areas are honesty and consistency

It's not just for gays anymore said...

It's a pity Desley Boyle didn't stand up and vote for the rights of the people who put their lives on the line, paid their taxes and raised their families over the last 60-70 years, and they are not gay couples, they are the straight couples. These citizens are being bashed and left destitute and receive no protection from this Labor Govt in over 10 years. Gays have had right for over 21 years in Qld, Seniors are denied access to Legal Aid, gays aren't. Who are the most discriminated group of people in Qld in the 21st Century, hetrosexual people/ couples over 65 years. A giant step backwards for straight people in the State of Qld!

Anonymous said...

DJ I don't think the LNP can support this media driven creation called "Gay Marriage" anyway, not just on Party grounds but on legal grounds. Legally it is more complex than most think. Gillard knows this and she is milking it for political reasons, namely to distract from her recent unpopular measures and to vilify the Opposition. She doesn't want legal Gay Marriage either though, because firstly she won't gain many votes by granting it, and secondly, like in the US, it gets trotted out periodically when political distraction is called for, yet never gets definitively resolved. Its unfortunate that so many have fallen for this, such is the nature of single-issue politics.

Alison Alloway said...

PB, this isn't a "media driven" issue, nor is it a "political distraction". Don't under-estimate the sheer strength of this issue. Almost every Australian family or social group now has gay or lesbian members. The issue will not die down or "go away". Two Australian political parties are now agreeable to change. The LNP is not and therefore it is unlikely that same sex marriage will be legitimised until the LNP decides to change its stance. However, never under-estimate this issue. It is here to stay.

Local Senior said...

It's not just for gays anymore - There is a legal service especially for seniors, established by the Queensland Government. It is called Seniors Legal and Support Services and can be contacted on 1800 650 931. They have an office in Cairns and you can make an appointment.

Anonymous said...

I'm as Gay as you seem to be Alison, and I've watched this issue pop at politically opportune times in the past, only to remain unresolved. If you watch US politics you'll see how this issue has been used politically as a weapon multiple times, and yet it remains largely unresolved there as well. Same tricks different country. Media works hand in glove with government to manipulate us over and over and always has. Regardless of what you may yearn for this is absolutely being used as a political distraction of the first order. Don't you ever wonder why they never do it, regardless of their assurances? Listen to what they say, then watch what they do. The two never match up.

Alison Alloway said...

PB, I have gay relatives and this Christmas, like so many Australian families, I will be celebrating at family bar-b-ques and Christmas dinner with my gay and lesbian relatives. The number of people in gay relationships has increased quite considerably this past decade. Amongst my own friends and acquaintances, it seems all of them also have at least one gay or lesbian relative. We can no longer view gays and lesbians as "outside the mainstream". They are an accepted part of our society, and political parties need to address that.