MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • On Trend
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • On Trend
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. News

Why Love Isn't The Main Reason Same-Sex Couples Deserve A 'Yes' Vote

This couple explains - by marie claire
  • 07 Jul 2017
Why Love Isn't The Main Reason Same-Sex Couples Deserve A 'Yes' Vote
Kaitlin Maree Photography

In July of this year, a loved-up couple had the best day of their lives: their wedding. 

 

The difference? This couple happens to be same-sex, and they also happen to live in Australia - where, despite many across the country campaigning for it, and the current postal vote, same-sex marriage still isn't legal. 

Alee proposed to Carly in 2015 and while it was beautiful and special - their son, Oakland, was wearing a shirt saying 'Will you marry my other mum?' - for them, it felt like a sort of "empty promise."

"I feel like a second-class citizen in my own country. I don’t understand how we can be such a young and new country and have such outdated ideals," Carly says of marriage equality still not being legal in Australia.

For them, as it is for many other same-sex couples, marrying isn't just about being in love: it's about securing their futures, especially now that they share a son.

oakland

Carly and Alee's two-year-old son, Oakland, who they had through IVF

Carly and Alee are the first couple in the country to 'marry' under the ‘Evermore Pledge’, a legal package which allows same-sex couples a lot of the same, important rights as a married couple would have.

While it can't legally be called a marriage under the Marriage Act, Carly and Alee now have a binding financial agreement that protects them in the event of an emergency, which covers wills, power of attorney, beneficiaries, superannuation and, most importantly, gives them peace of mind about Oakland's future. 

"For us, it wasn’t the logical next step to being in love," Carly, who has a blog about her family and IVF, explains.

"It was about securing our futures, especially now that we have a child together. How do we go about making it legal so that we’re both protected in the event that one of us gets sick or dies?" 

same sex marriage carly alee australia

Kaitlin Maree Photography

For both Alee and Carly's parents, the wedding meant a lot more than just ensuring their daughters are protected in the event of an emergency.

"Both of our parents thought that their children getting married wasn’t something they were going to see in their lifetimes."

"So for us to be able to share that with them was super meaningful, they were a mess. My mum couldn't stop crying," Carly says.

"We were so focused on the legal side of things – and spent hours Skyping the lawyers back and forth – that the ceremony was our last thought."

"But when we got there we were just blown away, it was the most beautiful evening and so much more emotional than we’d expected."

"To have Oakland be a part of it was really special."

Carly says that if marriage equality were to be introduced to Australia tomorrow - and if the postal vote is a 'Yes' vote, of course, they would be over the moon. But now that happiness would be more for other same-sex couples than themselves. 

"Absolutely, I want marriage equality, but now that we’ve got this, when Australia finally gets marriage equality I feel like sort of saying 'F you, it’s too late, guys.'"

RELATED: I’m Getting Married Next Month - And I Have Just One Question For The ‘No’ Campaigners

RELATED: The Postal Survey Is Taking A Heavy Toll On Young LGBT Australians

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

Couples Offered Free Wedding Venues In Sydney If Same-Sex Marriage Is Legalised

Couples Offered Free Wedding Venues In Sydney If Same-Sex Marriage Is Legalised

Why We Still Need Mardi Gras As Much Today As We Did In 1978

Why We Still Need Mardi Gras As Much Today As We Did In 1978

Former Bachelor Star Heather Maltman Reveals She's Been In A Same-Sex Relationship

Former Bachelor Star Heather Maltman Reveals She's Been In A Same-Sex Relationship

Same-Sex Marriage: Debate In Parliament Begins Over Bill

Same-Sex Marriage: Debate In Parliament Begins Over Bill

{headline}

{headline}

Same-Sex Marriage: What Happens Next Now Australia Has Voted Yes?

Same-Sex Marriage: What Happens Next Now Australia Has Voted Yes?

A Just Married Same-Sex Couple Tells What The 'Yes' Vote Means To Them

A Just Married Same-Sex Couple Tells What The 'Yes' Vote Means To Them

Australia Finally Said Yes To Marriage Equality

Australia Finally Said Yes To Marriage Equality

{headline}

{headline}

Promising News For 'Yes' Campaign In Same-Sex Marriage Vote

Promising News For 'Yes' Campaign In Same-Sex Marriage Vote

Sydney Anglican Church Snubs Its Own Charities To Fund “No” Campaign

Sydney Anglican Church Snubs Its Own Charities To Fund “No” Campaign

The Australian Fashion Industry Sends A Message: #WeSayYES

The Australian Fashion Industry Sends A Message: #WeSayYES

I’m Getting Married Next Month - And I Have Just One Question For The ‘No’ Campaigners

I’m Getting Married Next Month - And I Have Just One Question For The ‘No’ Campaigners

The US 'Bachelor In Paradise' Just Made History With First Same-Sex Engagement

The US 'Bachelor In Paradise' Just Made History With First Same-Sex Engagement

We Celebrate A Year Of Marriage Equality With Three Couples Who Tied The Knot

We Celebrate A Year Of Marriage Equality With Three Couples Who Tied The Knot

Primary School Teacher Fired Days After Same-Sex Wedding

Primary School Teacher Fired Days After Same-Sex Wedding

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
MarieClaire Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Elle
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • beautyheaven
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to Marie Claire