Premium Content:

Editor's Thoughts: Growing Frustrations

Graeme WatsonAt last month’s Equal Love rally in Perth there was a notable growing feeling of frustration and anger amongst the crowd. While the protest march drew a smaller crowd than previous outings, the vibe was distinctly different.

During the March the protestors stopped on William Street and sat down, bringing the city’s traffic to a grinding halt, showing that it only takes a few minutes to create chaos. Some of the protestors placed stickers on shop fronts and statues and stickered the cars unexpectedly captured in the rally.

- Advertisement -

The mood was different. People were angrier, more upset and looking for a way to release their frustration. It’s not surprising, when increasingly polls show that the majority of Australians support change. The latest poll from Roy Morgan released in late May measured support of 65%, and also noted that 79% of people surveyed thought that politicians should be given a conscience vote on the issue.

The most recent country to sign up to marriage equality is France, where Vincent Autin and Bruno Boileau became the first same sex couple to walk down the aisle. In France, the polls indicate fewer people are in support of change and there has been fierce opposition. There have been riots, violent protests and most alarmingly the suicide of activist Dominique Venner.

As we head towards the federal election equal marriage advocates have a responsibility to ensure that peaceful protests prevail. Everyone fighting for this cause should think of creative ways to get the message across. Write letters, create art works, use photography, stage creative events or make a t-shirt, say it with puppets – keep changing it up to keep getting people’s attention.

More important though is the actions of our politicians, for representatives of the people, they seem to be disagreeing with what the people want on this issue. How much longer can the major party’s leaders ignore this issue? How high must those polls rise for change to happen?

 

Graeme Watson
editor@outinperth.com

Latest

Rainbow Futures releases 2025 LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Strategy report

The landmark report calls for a 'whole of government' approach for supporting LGBTIQA+ people in Western Australia.

Dean Misdale heads back to the dancefloor with ‘Believe’

The drag star takes on the Cher classic with a party vibe.

NSW MP Gareth Ward to remain in parliament despite being in jail

The MP, who has been convicted of sexual assaults, has sought an interim injunction against being expelled from parliament.

Guy Pearce gives update on the Priscilla sequel

Scripts are being written and finance is being sought.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Rainbow Futures releases 2025 LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Strategy report

The landmark report calls for a 'whole of government' approach for supporting LGBTIQA+ people in Western Australia.

Dean Misdale heads back to the dancefloor with ‘Believe’

The drag star takes on the Cher classic with a party vibe.

NSW MP Gareth Ward to remain in parliament despite being in jail

The MP, who has been convicted of sexual assaults, has sought an interim injunction against being expelled from parliament.

Guy Pearce gives update on the Priscilla sequel

Scripts are being written and finance is being sought.

Early highlights revealed for 2025 ST. ALi Italian Film Festival

The Boy With The Pink Trousers retells the real story behind Italy’s first publicised case of online bullying.

Rainbow Futures releases 2025 LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Strategy report

The landmark report calls for a 'whole of government' approach for supporting LGBTIQA+ people in Western Australia.

Dean Misdale heads back to the dancefloor with ‘Believe’

The drag star takes on the Cher classic with a party vibe.

NSW MP Gareth Ward to remain in parliament despite being in jail

The MP, who has been convicted of sexual assaults, has sought an interim injunction against being expelled from parliament.