A Just Married Same-Sex Couple Tells What The 'Yes' Vote Means To Them
The past nine weeks have been a wild rollercoaster ride for most of the LGBTQI community. We've had our ups, and downs along the way to finding out the result of the same-sex marriage postal survey.
But we've made it to today and Australia has spoken up and agrees that the law should be changed to allow same-sex couples the opportunity to marry the one they love.
Almost six weeks ago my partner and myself invited our families and friends to a ceremony held at the Chinese Gardens of Friendship in Sydney, where we said our vows to each other – even though this wasn't legal in the country. It was important for us to have everyone we love there with us, and with so much uncertainty in the world we didn't want to leave it until our Government decided our fate for us.
It was an incredible day with family and friends travelling from interstate, London and Turkey to share in our celebration. The feeling of acceptance on the day was very overwhelming and humbling. It was a brief break away from the ugly side that presented itself during the postal vote.
Many who attended during the day were very vocal about their sadness that our union wasn't legal, and that Malcolm Turnbull and the Liberal Government had decided that the Australian public should have a say over how the LGBTQI community live their lives.
We're only half-way after it was revealed today the majority of Australians had voted that everyone should have the right to marry the person they love. It now needs to go before parliament, and already at least six MPs are set to vote no to the legislation regardless of how the Australian public voted.
If same-sex marriage becomes legal in Australia, my partner and I will have a simple ceremony to sign the official documents to recognise us as husband and husband. Regardless of what no supporters will tell you, this will protect us both from certain things in life – much of which is outlined in a music video by Greg Gould, covering the George Michael song 'Freedom'.
Turnbull, who is apparently a big supporter of same-sex marriage, says that he hopes to make it legal by Christmas. But the $130 million postal survey doesn't guarantee anything. It's now in the hands of our Canberra elite to do the right thing.
I would love to be legally married, along with many other Australians in the same boat as myself. Hopefully that day is fast approaching.
After all, love is love.
