New laws passed in Australia in November mean widows of war veterans in that Country can apply for pension benefits. The new laws come as a result of a ruling by the United Nations' Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the case of Edward Young of Australia.
According to an article in The Age, Young's partner of 38 years, Larry Cains, served in the Australian Army in Borneo during World War II. The two met in London in 1960 when Cains was a photographer and Young a model. "He was desperately handsome," Young said, "we spent two weeks together and I told him I wanted to spend my life with him."
Edward Young Photo: Peter Rae/ The Age
Young's battle began 10 years ago with the death of his partner. Young applied for the pension only to be told that he and Cains were not a legally recognized couple under the Veteran's Entitlement Act. The UN court ruled in his favor in 2003, saying Australia breached the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, but the government of then Prime Minister John Howard held out on reviewing Mr. Young's case.
A spokeswoman for Veteran's Affiars said the new law will come into effect on July 1 of this year and encouraged others in Young's position to come forward and apply after that date. "People such as Mr. Young will not be denied a war widow or widower's pension on the basis of a same-sex relationship."
Young said he doesn't really want or need the pension but wanted to take on "the little man (former Prime Minister John) Howard, and fight. I wanted a decision that wouldn't just apply to my own circumstances. What I wanted was something that would apply right across the board - I wanted something that would say that, yes, there was discrimination and it didn't just apply to me, it applied to all facets of our law; to superannuation, to pensions, to everything."
We applaud Young's tenacity and willingness to fight. He and others like him inspire us to stand up for what we believe in.
I admire Mr Young and his
I admire Mr Young and his determination to carry on this moral battle to recieve a very basic entitlement for the partner of any man or women who has chosen to serve their country.
In so many ways Australia is a beautiful and politically stable country with opportunity for most people to live openly without fear of persecution for religous or personal beliefs. While there are a few well publicised exceptions to this status quo, our freedom of choice is the envy of many developed countries around the world.
That freedom is largely due to the efforts of men like Larry Cairns who were willing to fight for our country, today young men and women are still willing to defend Australia and maintain that high standard set by our ANZAC troops.
Mr Young is equally heroic in his battle to gain recognition for his relationship with Mr Cairns. He embodies the same spirit displayed by the gay men and women who fought in the seventies for our basic gay rights. By determination and persistence these brave people were able to defeat and ultimately overturn the draconian same sex laws of the day.
In the ongoing quest for same sex rights and recognition, Mr Young is fighting that battle, at an age where he should be able to relax and reflect on 38 years of happiness. He is an inspiration for others to keep up the effort to ensure that Australia is a true free democracy at all levels of society.
Kudos Mr. Young, that took a
Kudos Mr. Young, that took a lot of balls to throw yourself out there like that knowing it could go the other way. I feel gays as a whole have started to become complacent. Seeing dwindling numbers at rallys and events put together to fight for our simple everyday rights as human beings, which sadly we still have to do is truly disturbing. I then see people like yourself laying it all to bare before so many people and it once again brings back that hope. I urge all of you to not lose that fire because this battle doesn't stop until it is on the books permanently. You don't have to be Mr. Young, just go support a local rally or sign a petition. I know it sounds odd but Bruce Lee said Bring to your mind an image, believe in that image and know that it cannot be stopped, then and only then can you win against your opponent. These are not the exact words but they are are not far off, in any case we really need to believe in ourselves as a whole and we will win this battle.
Too bad the USA is such a
Too bad the USA is such a "backward" nation!
If only ............................
For US citizens, fight for the repeal of DOMA. Ya don't have to join People for the American Way, just sign the letters to the leaders in the Congress. Repealing DOMA which Bill Clinton screwed us by signing is the one IMPORTANT FIRST STEP to marriage equality and the rights or which ONE BRAVE MAN in Australian fought for: Edward Young. How courageous of him! What a magnificent example he is to those who stop, open their eyes to discrimination and protest.
granddad1 on Daddy Hunt.
The link for repeal of DOMA
The link for repeal of DOMA is: dumpDOMA.com
Thanks.
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