Homo-sexuality is not a new concept in Australian culture. According to Norah, initiated men in Aranda, central Australia married boys of age between ten to twelve years. The real issue is not about the existence of homosexuality, but whether it is likely to be decriminalized. Already there are signs that Australia is gearing up to fully accepting gay rights. Recently, a motion was passed to legalize gay marriages in the Australia Capital Authority. This is a vindication of how comfortable political systems are embracing the concept. Consequently, there is a high likelihood that Australia will legalize gay marriage in line with liberal views.
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The struggle to accord gay people equal rights began at the same time when the country was adopting liberalization as a political ideology. The first serious attempt to make laws that permits gay marriage was in 1975 when Murray Hill of Liberal party introduced a bill that was intended to legitimize gay unions in the parliament (Altman, 2012). The bill was supported by the Labor party which was the champions of liberalization by then. Liberalization was associated with demand for relaxation of social laws and policies. This included the marriage law of 1961 which out rightly outlawed same sex marriage. It can be argued that the existence of liberal government in 1970s and 1980s promoted the formation of gay right movement. These organizations appealed to various international organizations such as United Nations to compel Australia to constitutionally recognize the rights of gay people. This made the Federal government of Australia to entrench sexual privacy rights in 1994 (Gay Law Reform)
The number of gay people in Australia has been growing at alarming rates. The principles of liberalized society demands that all segments of society are accorded same rights. Liberalization means freedom and equal opportunities and right for citizens. Therefore, discrimination of gay people is not likely to be permitted in a fully liberalized society. This is the reason why western economies are very receptive gay rights as opposed to Asian economies which have higher blend of conservatism in their economic model. Australia is not known to persecute homosexuals as it happens in Middle Eastern countries. However, it lacks a federal law that decriminalizes homosexuality. However, globalization and western views about homosexuality is likely to compel the federal government to amend marriage law. Australia has on several occasions removed laws and policies that are not in line with principles of liberal states. However, according to Amnesty International, discrimination based on sexual orientation still exists in Australia (Flynn, 2013).
Debates on whether or not to legalize same-sex marriages are very common in liberal states. In religious states, such discussions often attract reprisals from state agents. The fact that people of Australia can talk about gay marriage in the open is a clear indication that the country is indeed a liberal states. The ACT has proven this by enacting a law that permits gay marriage within its jurisdiction. Other states and territories are likely to do the same. The level of heterosexual masculinity in Australian society is very high (Wastnage, 2007). Therefore, it is very unlikely that the government of these jurisdictions will close their eyes to this reality. The high court ruling against federal government objection to ACT gay marriage bill is likely to encourage other states and territories to enact similar law. This is because the pressure already mounting on state government to recognize homosexuality as a human right issue just as it is practiced in liberal states of Europe and Northern America.
References
Altman, D. 2012. Current affairs and culture from Australia and beyond. Inside Story
Flynn, M. 2013. Sexuality. International Business Times. P5-8.
Gay Law Reform. Retrieved from http://www.utas.edu.au/library/companion_to_tasmanian_history/G/Gay%20Law%20Reform.htm
Norah, C. 2007. The roots of gay oppression. International Socialism Journal, Issue 42,1989
Wastnage, J. 2007. Travel Weekly Australia. Issue 66, p16-16. 1/2p.
