NOTE:  FOR EACH NEW SIGNATURE, GARY GETS AN EMAIL. SOON HE'LL GET THE MESSAGE: CANBERRA WANTS EQUALITY!

The Marriage Act 1961 (Cth) currently prohibits marriages to be solemnised between partners of the same sex, and fails to recognise same-sex marriages solemnised in other countries.

This causes great harm to same-sex partners and their families by discriminating against them, perpetuating prejudice and stigma, and entrenching a second-class legal status.

The children of same-sex couples are also disadvantaged because their families are denied the legal security and societal recognition that marriage can provide.

Moreover, this inequality only harms the institution of marriage by associating it with discrimination.

An increasing number of other countries allow marriage equality, and polls show most Australians support this reform. A 2011 News Ltd poll found that 73% of ACT residents support marriage equality - an overwhelming majority.

Senator Humphries, it's time to represent ALL citizens of the ACT. It's time for marriage equality in Australia.