Last weekend, I chatted with a good friend who is a strong supporter of marriage equality. She has written countless letters to politicians, has met with more than a few of them, attends rallies and does absolutely all that she can to explain to people why this is an issue that matters so strongly to her.
As a mother to two daughters, it feels wrong to her and her husband that one of their children is able to have her marriage recognised in this country while the other daughter, who is gay, is not.
Earlier this week, Labor made a unanimous caucus decision to block the plebiscite legislation. There is now no parliamentary pathway for the unnecessary plebiscite. This is a powerful victory for LGBTI Australians, their allies, friends and families who have spoken out strongly against it. It is a win for those who have consistently urged politicians to consider the implications of an unnecessary public vote on the human rights of other Australians.
The elimination of a looming plebiscite provides a rich opportunity for our representatives in Federal Parliament. Politicians are often accused of being out of touch and unwilling to work together in a bipartisan way.
Marriage equality, which has support from both sides of parliament, could serve as an opportunity to reach disengaged Australians who are cynical about the political process.
Politicians in the Coalition have never had a free vote on marriage equality in the entire history of this movement. When Tony Abbott was Prime Minister, he pushed the idea of the plebiscite, telling his party room that this was the last term that the Coalition could be bound to vote as a block against marriage equality.
The removal of the plebiscite this week should serve as a circuit breaker. It is time for all sides of politics sit down and map out a cross party path towards achieving marriage equality.
It would be folly to assume that the pressure for marriage equality will abate now that the plebiscite has been stopped. Instead, the energy of Australians who support marriage equality should focus on pushing politicians to represent their electorates and have a free vote on this issue.
All opinion polls show a majority support for marriage equality. Indeed, there is more support for marriage equality in Australia than there was in culturally comparable countries such as Canada, New Zealand and the UK when they introduced this reform.
Many Australians might recall the joyful scenes that erupted when these countries passed marriage equality legislation. There would be few people who were not deeply touched when spectators in the New Zealand Parliament gallery sung a deeply moving Maori love song to mark this historic moment.
Refusing to act on the strong community support for marriage equality is no longer an option for politicians. Marriage equality as a cause will not disappear because it is an issue about every day Australians who want their love and commitment recognised in their home country.
It has been clear from the amount of media attention, activism and grassroots, which just grows each year, marriage equality will not be ignored.
Marriage equality will not stop because this matter touches the hearts and lives of Australian people. It is simply about individuals wanting their love and commitment recognised in their home country.
Parents want their children recognised as equal citizens in this country. Grandparents want their grandchildren’s loving bonds acknowledged. Friends want to celebrate marriage with their mates.
Every day people are impacted by the absence of this reform. Advocacy for this issue will not falter, will not halt, and will not stop until LGBTI Australians can marry the person they love in the country they love.
Australia’s politicians have a historical opportunity to take hold of the marriage equality moment and introduce a reform that speaks to the values of love, equality and fairness. This is their moment to seize.
- Dr Shirleene Robinson is a spokesperson for Australian Marriage Equality. She lectures modern history at Macquarie University.
