Jessica Marais has a question for the Australian Government: “Can you please explain to me why we are still talking about marriage equality in 2017?”
The Love Child actor’s question is founded – nearly 75 per cent of Australians support same-sex marriage, and yet gay couples still don’t have equal rights.
The issue affects many of Marais friends and has forced some of her loved ones to move overseas to have their relationship legally acknowledged. “Having to do that make them feel unwanted and unsupported in the country they’re from,” she explains. “Knowing that other people don’t have the same rights that I have makes me feel angry, powerless and very disappointed.”
Marais is one of 15 of Australia’s biggest names to join marie claire and Airbnb’s Unil We All Belong campaign.
The rainbow-themed portfolio also features Offspring actress Asher Keddie, The Project co-host Waleed Aly, model Jesinta Franklin, former AFL player Adam Goodes, model Gemma Ward, singer Thelma Plum, fashion designer Carla Zampatti, chefs Neil Perry, Matt Moran and Kylie Kwong, politicians Tanya Plibersek and Sarah Hanson-Young, and fashion designer Jayson Brunsdon with his partner Aaron Elias Brunsdon and son Roman.
The full campaign appears in the new issue of marie claire on sale on Thursday May 4.
