Can you visit an MP to support rainbow parents? We need to find people who live in the electorates of as many MPs in Queensland as possible.
If you lie in Queensland, YOUR GAY & LESBIAN COMMUNITY NEEDS YOU! You don’t have to be a gay family – it’s powerful to have people from the general community, families, godparents etc visiting MPs on our behalf.
Don’t worry – we’ll give you lots of info on how to do it.
So here’s what you can do:
Step 1: Who is your MP? You can find out your electorate here.
Step 2: Let us know you are planning to visit! Email me at mikhela_lee*at*yahoo.com.au or write a comment below
Step 3: Send a letter to your MP requesting a meeting. There’s a sample letter here.
Step 4: Think about what you might say. Haven’t visited an MP before? here’s a guide to what to expect. Check out the research into same sex parenting. Have a look at the common concerns about rainbow parenting. Get clear on how the current lack of recognition affects you (or the person you are supporting, if you are a family member/friend) – there are some ideas here.
Don’t worry, it’s quite easy! All you have to do is tell your story – and in my experience with pollies, they do most of the talking anyway. It’s really just about humanising the issue. If you can take a baby or a photo of your grandchild/ godchild/ favourite rainbow family, so much the better.
September 23, 2009 at 2:19 pm
I’m a straight grandmother and I’m not in Qld but I’d just like to say what a great job I think you are all doing. I’d visit my MP if I thought it would help!
September 25, 2009 at 6:12 pm
[...] forget, we need you to visit your Queensland state MP. The previous post tells you how to do [...]
December 7, 2009 at 9:43 pm
I fully support the Governments Surrogacy Bill 2009 that will allow “altruistic” surrogacy for anyone (straights, gays, singles, married straight couples, same sex couples both male and female, de facto straight couples, etc) and ask ALL Government ministers of QLD to vote for in on the 12 April 2010 (the date the bill will be voted on).
I still fully agree to continue to make “commercial” surrogacy a criminal offence! – “Altruistic” surrogacy should always be allowed for all individuals with full consent of the participants!
Remember there is hate in the Liberal party (which lost this year’s Election so ha ha!):
Also ask all Government ministers of QLD to please vote down and rip-up the bigoted, hateful and backward “Family (Surrogacy) Bill 2009″. This is the Private Member’s bill (from the liberals) to still make surrogacy a criminal offence for singles, de facto straight couples and gay men and only allow it exclusively for heterosexual married couples.
Just to clear the confusion:
* Surrogacy Bill 2009 (the Government bill) – GOOD AND PROGRESSIVE
* Family (Surrogacy) Bill 2009 (the Liberal bill) – BAD AND HATEFUL
Copy of the GOOD Bill 2009 -
http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/Bills/53PDF/2009/SurrogacyB09.pdf
Copy of the BAD Bill -
http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/Bills/53PDF/2009/FamilySurrB09_P.pdf
NOTE:
The BAD bill has fewer pages compared with the GOOD bill, which has plenty more pages!!!!!
December 7, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Also I would like to point out that this is not just about surrogacy – this bill also allows IVF parentage rights for lesbians who have children with their female de facto partners (just like ALL other states have done*).
It is VERY IMPORTANT to have BOTH MOTHERS on the birth certificate so the child has the same rights as heterosexual women with their de facto/married male partners who become “automatic fathers” with consent.
For example:
Rights include and are not limited to; hospital rights, the right to see your children, child support payments, the right to take your child to an excursions, permission slips, etc.
Allowing IVF parentage for lesbians or the “presumption of parentage” for de facto female partners [the proper use of the term] will NOT in any way endanger the rights of fathers!!!!!
*NSW, VIC, TAS, NT, WA, ACT and the Commonwealth Government all recognize the “presumption of parentage” from de facto female partners (as well as de facto/married male partners). South Australia is the ONLY state to BAN all IVF access, any parentage agreements and surrogacy for both individuals and same sex couples. ONLY opposite sex couples (both de facto and married) are allowed IVF access, parentage agreements and surrogacy!
December 7, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Hi Paul, thanks for your comments. I hadn’t heard that they were voting in April next year – where did you hear that? Useful information in terms of pacing ourselves.