Gay Marriage Advocates to Meet MPs in Canberra
About 60 Marriage Equality representatives from around Australia will travel to Canberra on Wednesday to meet with more than 40 MPs to discuss with Parliamentarians on both sides of the house how marriage equality affects their lives, and the lives of their family and friends.
Aged between 9 and 91 years, people are coming from every Australian state and territory, and will share their family's story with various MPs and Senators from all parties throughout the day.
"Marriage Equality is an issue about fairness, equality, and families. Tomorrow we will show Canberra the positive impact this reform would have on Australians from all ages and backgrounds, from coast to coast,” Alex Greenwich, campaign coordinator, said.
Since the Tasmanian lower house became the first in Australia to formally support same-sex marriage with its historical vote last month, support for marriage equality has been rapidly gaining momentum on the mainland.
On Saturday, the Victorian ALP State Conference voted to support a policy shift at next month’s National Conference in favour of marriage equality.
Declaring his support for marriage equality, leading Australian rugby player and committed Christian, David Pocock, said on Saturday that he and his female partner will not marry until their gay friends have the same right to wed.
Outgoing South Australian Premier Mike Rann announced on Sunday that he supports marriage equality in Australia, and called on the Federal Government to address marriage discrimination. In a rare event, South Australian Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond agreed with the Premier, saying she too supports marriage equality.
MPs involved in meetings include Tony Abbott, Julie Bishop, Wayne Swan and Kevin Rudd.