Doctors from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) have welcomed the result of the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey, showing the majority of Australian voters support marriage equality.

RACP President Dr Catherine Yelland said:

“The postal survey has gauged the views of voting Australians, validating what we already know about this issue - LGBTI Australians should have the opportunity to marry the person they love.

“We believe the public health case for marriage equality is strong. The current definition of marriage entrenches discrimination and changing this definition will be an important step towards ensuring legal, societal and health equity for LGBTI Australians and their families.

“We urge parliamentarians to now show leadership on this issue and accelerate laws to deliver marriage equality and remove discrimination against LGBTI Australians, without any further delay.”

Eliminating discrimination and delivering marriage equality will ensure better health outcomes for LGBTI parents and their children.

RACP President of Paediatrics Dr Sarah Dalton said:

“I didn’t want a postal survey and I didn’t want the children and young people I care for to be exposed to a national debate about whether or not they deserve equal rights. 

“I didn’t want to have to argue the case for why we should respect and value all people and support our young people to be comfortable in their own skin. But it happened, the postal survey has now been completed and the LGBTI community stands at the brink of having equality for the most basic human right, the right to marry the person you love.”