“It’s not right”
Robyn Fay-Perkins, Sydney
“I met my good friend Gavin when we were younger through church. Gavin told me he was gay a few years ago, and it’s not something that surprised or shocked me.
“Gavin lives with his boyfriend Wayne and I know how close they are and how strong their relationship is.
“The fact that Gavin and Wayne aren’t able to show in society that they’re in a highly functioning, loving relationship just like heterosexual couples shows how society has deemed them unfit to show love to another human being. It’s not right!”
“To think that my cousin can’t legally declare her love is insane”
Neil Perry, Sydney
“The food industry is incredibly inclusive; we have a lot of gay and lesbian people in our community who are no different to me, my wife, my children or anyone. My business partner and cousin Trish is gay. She’s been with me my whole life and my entire career. To think that Trish and my other gay friends can’t have their love recognised is insane. It makes me feel uncomfortable that my friend Gavin doesn’t have the same rights as me.”
“It breaks my heart that two of my closest friends need to go overseas to get married.”
Jesinta Franklin, Sydney
“My husband Buddy and me have a lot of gay friends. Two of our closest friends, a gay male couple, are actually getting married at the end of this year and they really wanted to do it here, but they couldn’t, so we’re going overseas for it. When they asked me to officiate their wedding, it was a huge honour, but it also brought a lot of sadness because I knew their marriage wouldn’t be recognised in Australia. I can’t wait to see the day that love is equal.”
“It’s devastating that my aunty can’t marry the woman she loves”
Thelma Plum, Sydney
“My aunty came out two months ago. She’s 38 and has a son who is in Grade 12. She said she had been covering it up for a long time. There are lots of reasons why people don’t feel comfortable coming out, but I think that’s ridiculous because it should be the same as saying you’re in a straight relationship. She’s with this beautiful woman now and I am stoked for her. It’s devastating to know my aunty can’t marry the woman she loves. It’s just so sad and so wrong.”
“My brother should be able to marry his partner”
Sally
“My brother has been with his partner Andrew since they were 19-years-old. And they’re now 64. That’s pretty good isn’t it? Other marriages which have been sanctioned and are legal, have faltered. Mine at about 25 years. And yet, 45 years later, there they are, still together. These are great people in really good solid relationships. It just seems really insulting that we can say that any relationship is more valid than another relationship.”
“I live with two lesbians who wear rings. Why can’t they take the next step?”
Alexandra Carlton, Sydney
“Kate and Meg live together, own a house together and share a bank account. They’re stepparents to each other’s kids. But should something happen to either one, they’d struggle for their property rights to be recognised. It is absolutely nuts. Marriage equality in Australia is embarrassingly overdue.”
“In our country, freedom applies to everybody and my son is denied that freedom.”
Geoff
“Generally speaking, I was the product of a homophobic upbringing. I didn’t think I could produce a gay son, if that makes any sense. When my son told me he was gay, I asked myself the simple question, “What is it about gay people that you don’t like?” And that came down to unfounded fear, ignorance and prejudice. I felt so ashamed (of my prejudice) and yet I felt so proud of my son. I would happily speak as a proud father at my son’s wedding.”
“My friends deserve the right to have their marriage recognised in Australia.”
Sarah Hanson-Young, Adelaide
“I have some very dear friends who have had to travel overseas in order to get married, only then to come back to Australia where it’s not recongised under Australian law. As a politician I find it extraordinary that we haven’t been able to achieve marriage equality. My dear friends Alex and Victor deserve the right to have their marriage recognised. They wanted to celebrate their commitment with friends and they should have been able to do that in Australia.”
To join Airbnb’s campaign and pledge your support, go to untilweallbelong.com and order your free “acceptance ring” now.
