LEGALISING same-sex marriage needs to be put to the people, and the focus moved to the high levels of suicide in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community, according to Dubbo councillor Ben Shields.
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A motion recommending Dubbo City Council make representations to Prime Minister Tony Abbott to initiate a referendum to extending civil marriage to same-sex couples was bought forward by Cr Shields at the July meeting of council.
Councillors were divided on the issue, but the motion was passed eight to two.
"Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people in western NSW are 16 times more likely to kill themselves than their straight counterparts," Cr Shields said.
"That's a shocking statistic that needs to be urgently addressed by all levels of government and the community as a whole."
He said his motion, while far from perfect, sent a clear message to the government to "get on with the job" and make a decision.
"It's obvious that whatever happens, whatever our government and or people say, our marriage laws should be written, the decision should not be long winded and should not take forever."
Councillor Lyn Griffiths said it all comes down to equality and the LGBTI population being afforded the rights that are readily available to the rest of the community.
"I've said it before and I'll say it again, I have a left handed daughter and a gay son who were both born that way," she said.
"At the moment people's love and the ability to commit to each other in marriage is divided by law... and I think the sooner we move on the better off our LGBTI community will be."
The motion was criticised by councillor Tina Reynolds for not going far enough.
She said she would like for the federal government to have a conscience vote on marriage equality, and for it to be included in Dubbo's Social Plan.
"My heart tells me it's going to go nowhere, it's not really going to change anything, but it has put it out there, it has put it on council's agenda.
Councillor Rod Towney said he respected people from all walks of life, but he couldn't support marriage between a man and a man or a woman and a woman.
Councillors Lyn Griffiths, Tina Reynolds, Ben Shields, Bill Kelly, Greg Mohr, Kevin Paker and Allan Smith voted in favour of the motion. Councillors Rod Towney and John Walkom voted against it.
Councillor Greg Matthews was absent from the meeting.