The development and legislative reform of laws relating to same-sex relationships have proven effective in reflecting social values ​​and expectations. Same-sex relationships are defined as relationships between two people of the same sex and can take a multitude of forms, such as; close romantic and sexual to non-romantic relationships. Tension over same-sex rights came to the fore in the 1980s as part of a broader debate over the legal recognition of same-sex relationships. Since that time, there has been strong social development regarding community standards, individuals' rights and human equality in this area of ​​legislative reform. However, there was strong opposition from religious centralists and far-right conservatives. This debate stimulated the reform of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) and the Marriage Act 1961, both with the aim of balancing community standards and the rights of individuals, to ensure justice for society. The effectiveness of these reforms has been controversial due to the different perspectives that have emerged. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The Sex Discrimination (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Amendment Bill 2013 has been effective in reflecting social values. The main purpose of the law was to guarantee equality and freedom for those in homosexual relationships, based on respect for fundamental human rights. However, this is not to say that the Discrimination Act has completely eradicated discrimination in its entirety in Australia. Instead, its effectiveness rests on its ability to codify and punish a set of social morals related to discrimination in same-sex relationships. As of 2013, the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) was amended to The Sex Discrimination Amendment (sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status) Bill Act 2013. The reform of this act aimed to remove hostility to the community LGBTI in everyday life, such as in the workplace, street harassment and access to quality healthcare. For many, this was seen as a momentous step towards gay relationship rights. The president of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Catherine Branson, said that “people of all sexual orientations and gender identities deserve to be treated with respect and equality”. Branson then discussed statistics on the topic, identifying that 42% of those in same-sex relationships experience discrimination at social events, 34% have difficulty accessing services without discrimination, and 39% have suffered some form of discrimination in workforce. Furthermore, the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby Group has been a key agent of change, with the central aim of ensuring protection against discrimination in same-sex relationships at both state and federal levels. The NSW gay and lesbian rights lobby group said it aims to "remove at a minimum all exceptions in all provision of publicly funded services". This shows how agencies such as this lobby group have used their voices to advocate for change and seek support and support from the government. This social and political pressure was effective in ensuring that the 1984 Act was amended to recognize and reflect the needs of large sections of society.However, not all individuals agreed with the reform of the 1984 law, therefore, blocking the amendment in the initial stages of implementation. . Like Nathan Despott who has publicly argued that there should be conversational therapy for those in same-sex relationships, stating that “there needs to be support for LGBT survivors and a public education campaign about how discrimination will empower people.” Statements like Despott's have been reinforced by the Australian Christian lobby who have argued that children are better off with their biological parents. This further reinforced the discrimination of the LGBT community and highlighted the disparity between socially held opinions. However, there was significant disagreement in the community after statements published by the Australian Christian Lobby group were found to have a “0 knowledge basis”, which invalidated their statements. Their observations included that “same-sex couples currently face no discrimination” and “homosexuals face no cultural discrimination.” Many found these statements to be extremely harmful and as a result there was an even greater social push for mechanisms such as the government to change the “outdated legislation”. This ultimately led to the 1984 Amendment, thus demonstrating the development and overall effectiveness of discrimination laws in reflecting society's values ​​and beliefs. The legalization of same-sex marriage and the amendment to the Marriage Act of 1961 have been effective in addressing society's needs, reflecting current values ​​and expectations. The need to ensure same-sex marriage equality was brought to the fore in 2013 when the ACT passed same-sex marriage legislation. However, the proposal was struck down by the High Court, following a proposal from the Abbott government, as it was deemed “unconstitutional” and in conflict with the Constitution. After significant community protest, this led to the $100 million 2017 postal vote survey, conducted by the Turnbull government. The results found 61% of the Australian population supported changing the Marriage Act 1961. The law came into force on 9 December 2017 and allows marriage between two people of marriageable age, regardless of gender. The marriage amendment has led to broad social support from many individuals in accordance with the parliament's decision to launch the postal vote poll. Key figures supporting the amendment include Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten, who says “LGBTI Australians are now equal, with laws that reflect a modern, inclusive and fair Australia”. As of 9 December 2018 (1 year post-legalisation) Australia had approximately 6,000 registered same-sex marriages, with NSW recording the highest number of same-sex marriages at 2,004. Statistics like this were praised by Australian Marriage Equality spokesperson Shirleene Robinson, who said “Australia has embraced change over the last year” and “At the end of the day, it's about love and equality. When all people have the opportunity to have wedding ceremonies, it's just wonderful.” However, many opposed the reform of such laws, stating that the 61% postal vote result did not reflect the true values ​​and attitudes of society as the results appeared "too close" to be considered an "accurate reflection of society". . The Australian Christian lobby continued to be a critical agent in voicing its own.