Unpacking Marriage Equality: A Description and Analysis of Queer Group Submissions on the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill 2012

Abstract

The Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill 2012 came into effect on 19 August 2013. For some queer couples, this will mean that they can enter into the private contract of marriage. In this essay, I question the utility of marriage equality, and the narratives used by queer groups to advance marriage equality, in addressing the real and substantive inequalities experienced by members of the queer community. I conclude that, whilst marriage will bring security and happiness for some queer couples, the narratives used to progress marriage equality will be of limited use in contributing to the goal of ending queer discrimination and exclusion for the wider queer community.