Two weeks ago the WA Labor Party held their State Conference – where the topic of same-sex marriage was raised as an issue of debate. The week previously, the Queensland branch of the ALP had voted at their State Conference to support equal marriage, making them the latest in the domino chain of state and territory leaders that had publicly thrown their support behind the GLBTI community and activists in their bid for marriage equality.
The day of the conference, we’d waited several nerve-wracking hours for the result to come through. By the time we found out that WA had supported equal marriage, I was on my third glass of wine, and my victory dance across the floor of the Little Creatures Loft was less than dignified.
We’ve come just a little bit closer to having equal marriage for all Australians – and right now many GLBTI activists and marriage advocates are anticipating that the National ALP conference in December will be the make-or-break moment for the campaign. If the ALP policy changes to support equal marriage, then it is far more likely that a parliamentary vote in early 2012 will finally have the numbers to repeal the 2004 marriage ban.
But in order for that to happen, we’re going to need a little help from our friends.
Social change comes about because of hard work, patience and support from a wide and diverse range of people. The GLBTI community has been active and dedicated in hundreds of different activist campaigns over the years – but it’s likely that we would not have gotten quite as far without our allies. Our parents, our straight and cisgendered friends and colleagues, our neighbours and classmates are some of the most important people in any campaign for GLBTI rights – and marriage is no different.
The policy makers that will vote on these measures need to hear as many different stories, from as many different people as possible. Over the last few months, GALE has been a part of the Marriage Equality Matters Campaign – which focuses on collecting those stories, and showing that support for equal marriage comes from every different kind of Australian – from Catholic nannas to blue collar tradies.
Head over to www.mymarriagestory.com.au to find out more, and to submit a story.
For more info about GALE WA, and how to get involved visit www.galewa.asn.au
Kitty Hawkins
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