Celebrities publicise same-sex rights

Same-sex couples and their families are one step closer to equality and celebrities
have banded together to make sure Australia knows about it.
Celebrities including Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Seven Network presenter Kylie
Gillies and MTV personality Ruby Rose, launched a campaign on Tuesday to educate
Australians about 85 new law reforms affecting same-sex couples.
The reforms, which were introduced in 2008 but have received little publicity, grant
equal rights to same-sex couples in a range of areas including superannuation,
social security, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the Medicare Safety Net.
Bassingthwaighte's new single, Love Like This, will be the anthem of the Wear It
With Pride education campaign, with all profits from it donated to the gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgender community.
The 34-year-old singer said she was proud to be part of a the campaign to highlight
the long-overdue rights now available to her gay and lesbian friends.
"Initially I was angry that the reforms weren't in place. I thought that would have
been common sense," she told AAP.
"But then I became really proud and excited to be part of a campaign that gives
rights to everyone.
"Because for me, it is about human rights."
The Morning Show host Kylie Gillies shared the sentiment.
"Why should my work colleagues and my friends have fewer rights than I do? That
ain't fair," she said.
"So we should celebrate these 85 very, hard-fought reforms, which are not about
gays, but equal rights for everyone."
Standing in front of the Sydney Opera House, Australian human rights commissioner
Graeme Innes also help launched the campaign.
It was through Mr Innes' activism as commissioner and contribution to the 'Same-Sex:
Same Entitlements' inquiry that the 85 law reforms came into effect.
Mr Innes said when he was appointed commissioner "it did not make sense that we in
Australia discriminate against people because of who they love".
"If we are to change and make sure people receive the human rights they are entitled
to, education is critical.
"That is why this campaign is critical."
Charlie Brown and other top Australian designers have created 85 individual T-shirt
designs to highlight the reforms.
For more information on how the law reforms affect same-sex couples, visit
www.wearitwithpride.com.au