Equal marriage in Australia – finally, the time has come
As late as 1997, being gay in Tasmania was illegal. Now Australians stand on the cusp of marriage equality. The forces of progress seem unstoppable – so why is Tony Abbott in the way?
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- theguardian.com,ÂÂ
Did you hear it? Thousands of champagne corks popped in unison around Australia today in a spontaneous and synchronised expression of joy. The nationwide celebration was sparked today when the ACT Parliament voted to let gay and lesbian couples marry in Australia for the very first time. This is a momentous day and it’s important at times like this to look back at what it took to get here.
There is beauty and there is ugly cruelty in the history of gender and sexuality activism in Australia. It might be uncomfortable to acknowledge, but Australia hasn’t always been the generous, accepting and openhearted nation that we want it to be.
On a bitterly cold, clear June night in 1978 a protest took place on Oxford Street in the heart of Sydney. Around 2,000 people braved the chilly conditions and marched down the street calling for LGBTI equality in Australia. They couldn’t have known it at the time, but their actions would have a huge impact for decades to come.
On that night 35 years ago, 53 gay men were arrested by police as they broke up the legal and peaceful protest. Back then, you see, it was illegal to be in a homosexual relationship in NSW. Far from silencing the LGBTI movement though, what happened that night became the inspiration for the biggest celebration of diversity and acceptance we have in Australia today; the Sydney Mardi Gras.
Over the decades that followed each and every state and territory repealed their legislation that outlawed homosexuality one-by-one. It started when my home state, South Australia, led the way in 1975 and it took until 1997 for the final state, Tasmania, to do so.
Those were important victories and this week we have taken another giant leap forwards thanks to our friends in the ACT. It’s amazing to think that it has taken this long, but there’s now a place in Australia where gay and lesbian couples can go and have their relationships recognised as equal in the eyes of the law.
Despite this crucial victory in the ACT, the fight for marriage equality in Australia is far from over.
Tony Abbott and his attorney general have vowed to fight the ACT’s marriage equality laws in the High Court of Australia. Rather than simply standing in the way of this essential reform, the Coalition is now planning to go to the High court and fight for outdated discrimination and prejudice.
Tony Abbott needs to be upfront with gay and lesbian Australians. He needs to explain to them why he feels their relationships shouldn’t be recognised as equal. He needs to explain to them why he is fighting so hard to discriminate against their love.
The challenge for progressives now is to overcome the political power of the marriage sceptics; those people who still believe that gays and lesbians are not the same as the rest of us. There are good people from all sides of politics who want to see true equality achieved and it’s only through the combined efforts of the Greens, Labor and the Coalition that we’re going to reach equality at a national level.
I am a believer in love and a believer in marriage equality. This is about basic human rights, it’s about family and it’s about equality. We have a lot of work to do over the coming days, months and years but for now it’s time to celebrate the amazing achievement of our friends in the Capital Territory.
To those in the ACT I say cheers and to my federal colleagues I say let’s get on with it.
Why is Tony Abbott in the way? Really? You need to ask this question…? Because. It. Is. Wrong. And. Breaks. God’s. Commandments.
That Is Why.