A national inquiry into financial entitlements for same sex couples has been told that gay and lesbian people are not eligible for many social security benefits that are available to heterosexual couples.The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has heard personal accounts from people in gay and lesbian relationships, on how they have been discriminated against in society, the workplace and by the law.
One man whose long-term partner died has told the inquiry he was not eligible for the widow's pension, and was told to apply for unemployment benefits.
The AIDS Council of New South Wales also presented evidence of social isolation experienced by gay and lesbian people and those with HIV/AIDS, because of the current laws.
