09/01/2018
On 9th December, 2017 marriage equality was finally achieved in Australia. Today, the first couples said their vows and signed their marriage certificates. Just after midnight, Melbourne couple Diana and Deanne Ribeiro were married at a small ceremony with 60 guests.
- Melbourne couple Diana and Deanne Ribeiro. Photo courtesy of SBS News
Diana told SBS News, “We’re just so excited to be equal like everyone else in Australia.”
Other couples, including athletes Craig Burns and Luke Sullivan from Tweed Heads also counted down to midnight so they could legally say their vows.
Australia is the 26th country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage. It has been a long time coming. However, looking back at the history of this country, the average Australian’s relationship and co-existence with homosexuals leaves a lot to be desired.
New South Wales became the third state in Australia to decriminalise homosexuality in 1984, while Tasmania was the last in 1997.
While there are many different opinions over marriage, and laws concerning LGBTIQ citizens, there is one thing we all agree on: the postal plebiscite brought out a very ugly side of all Australians.
- “Vote No”, written in the sky in Sydney during the plebiscite.
For the second half of 2017, it was almost impossible to go anywhere without seeing rainbow flags, or seeing “Vote No” signs posted. On one occasion, these words were even written in the sky in Sydney.
However, if one decided not to leave the house, television, radio and social media made sure this was at the forefront of everyone’s mind.
Those who know me, know that I am one of the 61.6% of Australians who proudly voted in favour of the proposed changes to the Marriage Act. In the last six months, some of the most ludicrous notions have been put forward. From comparing same sex marriage to bestiality and paedophilia, to fear mongering with the Safe Schools program. I feel that one thing needs to be made clear: this has nothing to do with the marriage between two consenting adults. Please find a clip of the most ridiculous ad I have come across at the bottom of the page.
I know that I am skating on some very shaky ice, and there are many different points of view to consider. However, I feel that while this mother was trying to protect her children, she was being unrealistic. Judging by the Australian statistics, at least 10% of that woman’s children’s classmates will come out as gay at some point in their lives, while a great deal more than this will probably have at least one homosexual encounter in their lives.
I am not a parent. However, if these were my children, I would rather they be taught safe sex practices for whatever experiences they plan (or don’t plan) to have in their lifetime.
Anyway, enough with the plebiscite. It is done and dusted, and the past cannot be changed. For me, the most significant part of the new marriage laws mean that my future husband and I will have the same legal rights as every other couple. I am relieved that if one of us is critically ill in hospital, the other can make legal and medical decisions without coming up against barriers.
As for the doubters, only time will tell whether the world will come to a catastrophic end, or if one day, we will all be able to live in harmony, and accept one another.
