Australia advertises that all Australians are equal and does not tolerate discrimination of any kind, yet we see that gays are discriminated against just for their chosen sexuality.

We have researched a few aspects of where homosexuals are discriminated against in our laws. These are health care, employment, general laws and family.

After doing some research we found out the following discriminatory laws.

• A homosexual family can’t access the Medicare Safety Net as a family, meaning they must spend more to qualify for extra subsidies.

• A homosexual family must spend more to access the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Safety Net.

• Homosexual couples and families aren’t guaranteed carer’s, compassionate or parental leave or even travel entitlements.

• As a homosexual couple is not recognised as “spouses” by the government they have difficulty accessing their deceased partner’s superannuation death benefits due to a more difficult and uncertain interdependency definition.

• A same sex couple can’t access the Family Court for property settlements.

• A child living in a same sex family may be denied equal rights to child support under the Child Support Scheme.

The Australian Government says we do not discriminate against anyone, but how can the government say that with all these laws that discriminate against homosexuals.

Everyone should have equal rights regardless of your sexuality. We all bleed red blood and we all breathe the same air so why can’t we all have the same rights.

Everyone should have the right to marry the one they love. The marriage act of 1961 describes marriage as a voluntary act entered into between a man and a woman for life. If marriage is a voluntary act then all couples whether they are male and male, female and female or a male and a female should have the right to marry who they want regardless of their sexuality.

The laws we have here in Australia need to be changed.

We cannot advertise our country as non-discriminatory and then not allow everyone the same rights just because of their sexuality. This is inexcusable and unfair on many levels. The government needs to take a good look at the laws we have set in place and make them right so that everyone has equal rights like they say we do.