Break out the chocolates and rose bouquets – Valentines Day is upon us. Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner, movie-night or just staying in, it’s hard to ignore the flurry of hearts, flowers and appalling poetry coming our way through magazines, billboards and TV. It’s unfortunately one of those holidays that the media jumps on eagerly –bombarding us with endless images of happy, plastic perfect couples celebrating Valentines Day. Sadly, in mainstream media that means almost entirely heterosexual couples. Not for the first time, GLBTI people get left by the wayside and forgotten amid the flurry of rose petals and heart-shaped candies.
But it doesn’t necessarily have to be so.
It’s Valentines Day for same-sex and gender diverse couples as well, and we have as much right to publicly celebrate our loving relationships as anyone else.
2010 has been declared as the National Year of Action for Equal Marriage. Throughout the year, community groups and activists will be organising events to put pressure on the Federal and State Governments to remove the 2004 ban on same-sex marriage, and to invite the public to make a stand for equality.
This Valentines Day, community organisers Families for Freedom will be hosting a special Action for Marriage Equality – beginning with a rally and march through the Perth CBD and ending with a community festival featuring local musicians, stand-up comedians as well as a couple of drag-artists. Everyone is welcome to attend, and encouraged to wear red, white and pink to show support for all loving relationships.
Join us at noon on Sunday February 14th in Stirling Gardens, St. Georges Terrace and show that we won’t be invisible on Valentines Day.
For more info, check out our official website www.families4freedom.info, track us down on Facebook or email us on families4freedom@gmail.com
Kitty Hawkins
Families for Freedom
