An Australian man and his associates are pushing for a change in incest laws.
Richard Morris is campaigning around 60 nations, including Australia, to overhaul their legislation around the taboo topic to permit consensual incest marriage.
He's likened it to other attempts at marriage equality, like for the LGBTQIA+ community, and hopes a New York case could further their cause.
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A parent in the Big Apple has launched a lawsuit in the Manhattan federal court, arguing his right to marry his adult child comes down to 'individual autonomy'.
According to papers filed in court, via New York Post, the parent has stated: "Through the enduring bond of marriage, two persons, whatever relationship they might otherwise have with one another, can find a greater level of expression, intimacy and spirituality.
"The proposed spouses are adults. The proposed spouses are biological parent and child. The proposed spouses are unable to procreate together."
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Unsurprisingly, the parent is remaining anonymous because they understand incest, even if it's consensual, is 'an action that a large segment of society views as morally, socially and biologically repugnant'.
Mr Morris and his team have launched dozens of online petitions to change those attitudes in the hope they could get more people on board.
According to News Corp, they haven't received much support. But that isn't deterring his mission.
Richard truly believes consensual, incestual marriage falls under the banner of 'marriage equality' and he wants to fight for that right.
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He told the NYP: "We haven't moved any mountains yet. It seems to be as unjust as the law that used to imprison gay people, and the law that used to stop people of different races marrying."
Under the current federal Australian law, marriage between an ancestor and descendant or siblings (including a sibling of half-blood), including those traced through adoption is illegal.
But, federal law also states sexual intercourse between close family members (parent, son, daughter, sibling, grandparent or grandchild etc) is legal.
Despite that federal law, every state and territory makes it illegal for close family members to engage in sexual activity, regardless of age or consent, but the penalties vary.
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The maximum penalty for incest in NSW is eight years in jail, it's 10 years in South Australia, 20 years in Western Australia and the ACT, 25 years in the Northern Territory, Victoria and Tasmania and life behind bars in Queensland.
First time convicted offenders are also placed on the sex offender registry for 15 years. No state or territory permits consent as a defence for incest.
Featured Image Credit: PixabayTopics: Australia