Canberra minister first to come out as gay

An Australian politician came out as the country's first openly gay government leader on Thursday after he was appointed chief minister of the Australian Capital Territory.

Andrew Barr, who took on the role after incumbent Katy Gallagher quit last week, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that he will use his position to campaign for same-sex marriage.

"Anthony, I love you," Barr told partner Anthony Toms in his acceptance speech to the ACT Legislative Assembly. "I look forward to the day we can legally marry in this country."

Gay marriage was explicitly outlawed in Australia under a 2004 revision of the national Marriage Act pushed by the conservative prime minister at the time, John Howard.

Same-sex couples can have civil unions or register their relationships in most states, but the government does not consider them married under national law.

The ACT, home to the nation's capital, Canberra, was the first state or territory to allow gay marriage when it passed legislation last year. However, the High Court later struck down the law and ruled that the federal parliament must decide on same-sex unions.

"Canberra is Australia's most LGBTI-friendly city," Barr said, referring to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.

"We are inclusive, and we strive to ensure that all of our citizens are treated equally, and I look forward to the day when we can say that about our country."

A survey by polling company Crosby Textor for the conservative ruling Liberal Party earlier this year found that 72 percent of Australians support marriage equality, with about half of those strongly supporting it.

Conscience vote

Prime Minister Tony Abbott, whose sister Christine is gay, has been urged to allow a conscience vote on the issue.

But the government is opposed to gay marriage.

Barr's party, Labor, favors same-sex marriage.

(China Daily 12/12/2014 page11)