CIVIL unions, same sex adoption and suicide were among several hot button issues raised at a special community forum last night, with state and local government candidates grilled over a number of topics.

Organised by the Queensland Association for Healthy Communities and Cairns Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Alliance, The Pink Vote forum gave locals an opporunity to raise a number of issues affecting the local LGBTI community.
   Debate was passionate at times, particularly when it came to the issue of civil unions with the LNP vowing to repeal same-sex civil union laws if elected. 
   ''Let`s have no more of this nonsense and a bob each way saying 'I support civil partnerships but we're going to repeal the legislation if we get into government','' Labor Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall argued.
   LNP candidate for Cairns Gavin King countered that it was a Liberal state government that first introduced anti-discrimination laws in 1997 and any civil unions already granted would be upheld by an LNP government.
   Local residents Jase Hodson and Ricky Philbin said the forum helped them to better understand the positions taken by party candidates on issues affecting LGBTI people. 
   ''I was also listening to how well informed different politicans were ... and some (candidates) were less informed than others,'' Mr Philbin said. 
   ''I don't want to hear empty statements, I want to see action and that's what voters want.'' 
   Mr Hodson added that the council's establishment of a Relationship Declaration Register for couples was a ''pivotal'' issue for the LGBTI community.
 

 

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