The latest advocate for same-sex marriage currently causing a stir is 11 year old Lottie Frohmader from Hobart.
Frohmader wrote a letter to the Prime Minister making a strong case for the legalisation of same sex marriage, which reads:
“Dear Tony Abbott,
“My name is Lottie Frohmader, I am 11 years old and currently a Grade 6 student at the Friends’ School, Hobart, Tasmania. I am writing to you because I would like to know why you made a law saying that same-sex couples can’t get married in Australia. Personally, I don’t understand why this law was ever created. Love is love. It comes in many different shapes and sizes. Being straight, gay or lesbian doesn’t change anything. It does not mean that you aren’t human. It does not mean you aren’t a member of society.
“For example, look at Penny Wong. She was appointed as Minister for Climate Change and Water. She was the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, she’s currently a senator, and she’s a lesbian. She herself admitted the she would like to get married some day. Another influential Australian is Troye Sivan. He’s an actor, a very famous and well-known YouTuber, and a singer-songwriter. He’s also gay. This doesn’t make him any different to straight actors, YouTubers or singer-songwriters. He too would probably like to get married some day, but he can’t. Both these strong-willed individuals can’t get married in Australia. All because of an unimportant law that has absolutely no meaning at all.
“So please, Mr. Abbott. Please just think about allowing same sex couples to get married in this beautiful country. Just because everyone else’s opinions are different to yours, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t listen and respect your citizens’ views. As a Prime Minister, you are supposed to listen to all of Australia’s opinions, from all different types of people, not just your own.
“I hope you think again about your law. What you are doing is discrimination, and it is wrong. Every couple, gay, straight, or lesbian, should be treated equally.
“Yours Sincerely, Lottie Frohmader”
Frohmader’s letter gained attention when part of its contents were published in the Hobart Mercury. Lottie’s mother Carolyn told the newspaper she was pleasantly surprised by her daughter’s initiative.
“Lottie asked me out of the blue if kids can write to the Prime Minister. I said ‘of course, it’s a democracy’. The next thing I knew she showed me her letter, handwritten so everyone would know she had written it herself.”
Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome said that Lottie Frohmader’s letter was indicative of a high level of acceptance in Australia’s younger generation:
“More and more young Australians have gay family members and friends and simply don’t understand why gay people should be treated differently to other people.” he said.
“Children often see the truth better than adults, in this case that marriage is about love and commitment not the gender of the partners.”
“If politicians want to know how the next generation will judge them on this issue they need to read Lottie’s letter.”
Lottie Frohmader is still awaiting a response from the Prime Minister. She has also sent copies of the letter to local Tasmanian MPs.
