Equality is Mandatory

First of all, an apology. Both for the absence in my postings (I went through a perfunctory phase of introspection and even a little gloom) and in the current course of this blog's direction. It was not my intention for it to become a place where I write essays on the current state of affairs for same-sex attracted folk in Australia. It just seems that lately, it is these issues that gets my attention sufficiently enough to form strong opinion and makes me want to share my two cents.

The topic for today: Marriage Equality.

(Image from here)

After reading this article, exceptionally well written and poignant, I became inspired to share my views on same-sex marriage.

I do not know anyone that this currently is affecting in Australia. I do not know when/if it will ever affect me. I can, however, categorically say that should I ever chose to enter into marriage with another man and that choice be unavailable, I would fight the government with every fibre of my being.

That statement said, let me explore the issue a little. I'm 28 now, a few of my friends are married already, some are looking at taking the plunge soon. I had the overwhelming privilege of being involved in one of my best friend's weddings in the July holidays, and the weddings of my two sisters in the previous few years. Two male friends have tied their respective knots with their lovely wives, and another 3 or so close friends have found "the one" with which they want to settle. They get to do the grand wedding, or the escape to Fiji, but its their choice.

Another of my good friends, a fellow dandy camper, has been with his boyfriend (tangent: I HATE the word partner...) for several years now and they're experiencing the same heady bliss that comes with a stable long term relationship. Yet fundamentally, they don't have the same freedom to express their love for each other publicly, because our Government won't recognise their union. I am not angered by this, I am simply disappointed. I compare this to a gay couple I know living in New York City. They might not want to get married right now, but at least they can.

Time for some generalisations.

The article discusses some of the main points for anti-gay marriage proponents. I would like to expand upon some in this post:

1) Marriage is the sacred union before God of man and woman, bible blah blah. Horse shit. I attended the most sacred and beautiful pagan wedding/handfasting in the holidays. It was moving and it was recognised. Next!

2) Marriage is traditionally reserved for couples preparing for a family. Cough. Lets ignore people's right to choose whether or not they have kids. Lets ignore couples that can't have kids. Let's ignore the many different styles of family that can be found in any given street. Next!

3) Children require male and female figures in order to be healthy well adjusted individuals. Again, lets ignore the awesome jobs many single-parent families do... Not of all of them are "teen whore pregnant at 16, no father, living on crack" scenarios. To say that a kid is fucked in life because it doesn't have a mum and dad married is just plain ignorant.

Well, let me see, any valid reasons that same-sex unions shouldn't be recognised? People have asked, why is it so important? We were given de facto status we should be thankful. Again, I use the term "we" loosely here, you'll find as many apathetic GLBTIQ people as you will that are passionate for marriage. You'll even find many that don't want it because they see it as "heteronormative". To each their own, but I have an unwavering belief in and fundamental yearning for equality in all things. To be given de facto status but denied full access to marriage rights denies people so many things. It just adds to the social stigma that same-sex couples are second class and don't need to be fully accepted.

If you know someone this directly affects tell people your views. If your son, or niece or best friend's kid or those two guys down the street might one day feel the need to marry a same-sex partner we should be pushing for it! Tell your local politician of your views, sign those petitions, 'like' those Facebook groups. If you're lucky enough to not live in a seat where your federal member is a redneck and refuses to ask his constituents their views then good on you. If you are in the same situation as me, let them know. Mr Coulton, I am writing to you shortly.


I finish with a quote from the article:

This kind of silent segregation harks back to pre-civil rights movement America, as aptly put by Ellen DeGeneres, the gay American talk show host: ''Telling us we can't get married but can settle for a civil union is like a bus driver saying to a black schoolkid, 'I'll get you there if you insist, but you can sit at the back of the bus.' ''

End Rant =)

(Image from here)