Following the huge success and prophetic timing of the inaugural National Marriage Day which was held on 13th August 2009, the Australian Family Association has prepared to celebrate National Marriage Day in Sydney this year.

Although the 13th August is the proposed date for National Marriage Day, the 2010 dinner will take place on the evening of 12th August 2010. 

You can make a booking for the National Marriage Day dinner by going to www.marriageday.org.au.

Why August 13th?

The 13th August was the date chosen for National Marriage Day as it is the anniversary of the passing of the Marriage Amendment Act 2004 which defined marriage as "a union between a man and a woman, to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life". This is an important date in our nation’s history and the AFA had a pivotal role in bringing about the amendment. We must never take for granted the degree of protection that amendment gives to marriage in Australia.

We must speak up!

With same-sex attracted lobbyist asking for formal legal recognition of their same-sex relationship to be called marriage and working at a furious pace to overturn the Marriage Amendment Act 2004, it is very important that we as pro-family activists work even harder to defend the definition of marriage.

It may seem that we have a reprieve from the threat posed by the recent Marriage Equality Amendment bill proposed by the Greens, but unfortunately the reality is that same-sex marriage advocates will not be taking a break...and neither should we.

The campaign

The AFA has a multi-faceted campaign to defend the purpose and meaning of marriage and renew a culture of marriage within our nation.

Spearheading this campaign is the Ruby and Gold Project. The emblem of National Marriage Day is a gold rose set on a ruby background. This emblem represents forty and fifty years of marriage.

What else is the AFA doing for marriage?

National Marriage Coalition
The AFA is part of the National Marriage Coalition which meets regularly to formulate strategy for the campaigns.

Petition to retain the definition of marriage between man and woman
The hugely successful petition was circulated throughout Australia. This grass roots campaign instigated by individual AFA members spread like grass fire. The AFA now awaits the final tally to be released by the Petitions Committee.

Visiting politicians
Many AFA members made personal representation to their local federal members. This has made a significant impact and is an important antidote to the relentless lobbying by same-sex 'marriage' advocates.
 
Submissions
The AFA made several submissions to the recent inquiry into same-sex marriage, and was called to attend the Senate hearing to explain the AFA case for retaining the definition of marriage.
 
Galaxy Poll
The AFA recently commissioned an independent poll (see article page 3 for details) to ask Australians "Ideally, wherever possible, should children be raised by their biological mother and their biological father?" The result was that 86% of those polled agreed that children should be raised by their biological mother and father. This is important information as it shows that Australians are not in favour of same-sex parenting – the rights of children are the sleeping giant in the whole same-sex marriage push. Thank you to those who at short notice, gave financial assistance to pay for the Poll.