LGBTQ community receives a state apology in parliament for inequalities

It is little secret that the Australian government's policies lag behind their global counterparts when it comes to marriage equality.

However overnight the premier of the state of South Australia (SA) made an important step towards healing -- apologising to the LGBTQ community for past wrongs.

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Appearing before the parliament, Premier Jay Weatherill made a public and formal apology for the past mistreatment of the South Australian LGBTQ community and pledged to move toward recognition.

The public galleries surrounding the floor were filled with advocates and members of the community, eager to receive the apology.

An incredibly powerful moment. Thank you @JayWeatherill and @marshall_steven for your words to #LGBTIQ people #saparli pic.twitter.com/SDWb7kKYqk

— Chris Pycroft (@chrispytweets) December 1, 2016

Weatherill used his address to recount instances in which same sex partners suffered injustices not experienced by their heterosexual counterparts.

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"Andrew Birtwistle-Smith was not allowed to record the word married on the death certificate of his husband Christopher Birtwistle-Smith. This was despite the fact he was legally wed in Canada in the mid 2000s and had been married for 11 years before Christopher's passing," Weatherill said.

@JayWeatherill moves for apology by #saparli to LGBTIQ community for past injustices & discrimination pic.twitter.com/MFoi1Ilhe9

— Tammy Franks MLC (@TammyMLC) December 1, 2016

The premier spoke not just to those in the chamber, but Australians at large, saying these kinds of instances were disappointingly frequent.

"They diminish us by saying effectively there are certain people who deserve to be treated differently, whose relationships are worth less, whose families should not exist and who are not entitled to the same fundamental rights as their neighbour," he said.

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"I spoke to a gay man earlier today and asked him what this apology meant to him, and he told me that he grew up in a time when homosexuality was unlawful and when he was growing up, he couldn't see a future for himself and that hurt him," he said.

"So to him, and in particular to the young people who are here today, I want you to know that who you are is okay and that you're a welcome part of the South Australian community."

Powerful words of healing & recognition in the chamber today - thank you @JayWeatherill & @marshall_steven #LGBTIQ #rightingwrongs #saparli

— Anna Brown (@AnnaHRLC) December 1, 2016

Earlier this year the state government passed the a bill altering state legislative language to remove bias and add more inclusive gender identities.