Table of contentsA call to action in the Australian communityConclusionReferencesLGBTQIA+ people in Australia, and many others in most countries, are suffering for a long time. As of 2018, around 76 countries still criminalize homosexual activity. Beginning in the 1960s, South Australia's socially progressive Labor government wanted to repeal laws criminalizing homosexuality. However, it was not until the murder of gay law professor Dr. George Duncan in May 1972 that Prime Minister Don Dunstan felt the community was ready to accept and make change. This essay on same-sex marriages explores the historical context, legal developments and societal implications of granting equal marriage rights to LGBTQ+ couples in Australia. Australian Marriage Equality is a volunteer-led advocacy group who have come together to advance same-sex marriage legislation in Australia. AME partners with a range of different organizations and supporters across Australia. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on 'Why violent video games should not be banned'?Get an original essayA call to action in the Australian communityThe expansion of legal rights and protections afforded to same-sex couples in Australia is good developed at the federal and state level. For example, there are now laws in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory that provide for legal recognition of relationships. Calls for same-sex marriage continued to gain traction in the Australian community and various politicians responded by introducing more than 20 marriage equality bills to the Federal Parliament between 2004 and 2016. All of them lapsed or were rejected. During the 2016 federal election, the Coalition Government committed to consulting the Australian community on same-sex marriage by holding a mandatory national plebiscite. Plebiscites are used by governments at all levels to test voters' opinions on any issue. The main goal and objectives of this social movement were to end the ban on same-sex couples and allow same-sex couples to marry. The government would only change the law if the plebiscite demonstrated there was public support for same-sex marriage. The government failed to gain support for a Senate plebiscite in November 2016 and decided to hold a voluntary postal survey. The survey asked eligible voters to answer yes or no to the question "Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?" » Australian community. There has also been some resistance to same-sex marriage for reasons of personal or cultural beliefs, including religious affiliation. The marriage equality movement used the power of social media, news, and radio and television advertising to get its message out and rally people. This was a powerful way to attract more people, as it was regularly shown to everyone at all levels and aimed to target all age groups of voters. The movement's main opposition was the government, as well as religious groups who are strongly against same-sex marriage. The Marriage Act 1961 is the federal law that defines marriage eligibility and the requirements for a marriage to be legally recognized in Australia. For same-sex marriage to be legal, it would have to be passed by the government with, 32(6), 784-796.