9 August 2016
Rainbow Territory media release
Adoption by NT same sex couples supported by Labor, Greens, and independents
Labor, the Greens, Delia Lawrie, Kezia Purick and Phil Walcott support a change in NT law to allow same sex couples to adopt.
The law currently restricts adoption to married couples. This excludes same sex couples who want to adopt.
“Ending this discrimination will give legal security to families that already exist in the NT, as well as future families” said Rainbow Territory member Jane Black.
Rainbow Territory wrote to all major parties in the lead up to the election, as well as many independents. The responses received so far are now being communicated to voters.
Queensland and the NT are the only state and territory where this discrimination remains. The Queensland government recently announced it will scrap its law.
“Rainbow Territory heard from long tem foster parents in the NT who can’t adopt because they are a same sex couple. This law doesn’t reflect the people and families in the NT, it needs to change.” said Jane Black.
Full responses from candidate in relation to adoption policies can be found here: www.outnt.info/rainbowterritory/ntelection2016
Formed in September 2014, Rainbow Territory is an unfunded Northern Territory community group that advocates for the human rights of Northern Territorians who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jane Black, Rainbow Territory member
Phone: 0406 186 382