WA gay marriage advocates and supporters fly to Canberra tomorrow as part of a national campaign to lobby federal politicians in person.
Gay and Lesbian Equality (GALE) WA has been working with organisations such as Australian Marriage Equality to fly gay marriage supporters into Canberra and share their stories with their MP on Wednesday October 12.
GALE WA convenor Kitty Hawkins (pictured) said marriage equality was an important issue and that the stories from the community should have a great impact on politicians.
‘We’re taking four individuals with us,’ Hawkins said ‘we have a lesbian family and a retired doctor who are meeting with federal members [of Parliament] to tell their stories of why they believe in marriage equality.’
Due to limited resources, Hawkins said GALE WA could only fly a few West Australians to Canberra but she added that GALE also had been collecting stories via email and at this year’s Pride Fairday to take with them.
‘We’ve put them together in a portfolio which we’ve made about 20 copies of that will be presented to every member we meet with,’ Hawkins said.
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Campaigners have also been collecting stories from friends and families affected by the marriage ban for MyMarriageStory.com.au.
The website is part of the marriage equality campaign to show how the families of same-sex attracted couples are affected by the marriage ban. Perth-born Christine Woodhams currently lives in Hertfordshire, England with her fiancé and the couple plans to have their civil partnership ceremony next year.
But Woodhams said the current gay marriage situation in Australia was ‘just ridiculous’.
‘It really blows people’s minds over here,’ she said.
Woodhams found people were often surprised when she told them that they couldn’t have the ceremony in Australia due to the current marriage laws. She said the current situation meant only some of her family in Australia would see her get married.
‘My mum and my brother are coming over to see me get married but my step-father and my half-sibling can’t come, they can’t afford it, so they won’t be able to see me get married,’ she said.
‘My dad and my step-mum are not sure if they can afford it at this point.
‘It’s very disappointing, my family are not rich, and they are not the kind of people that can go overseas at the drop of a hat.
‘I don’t think any parent should have that right to see their child get married taken away from them.
‘I don’t think it’s fair at all.’
For more information, visit MyMarriageStory.com.au.
Benn Dorrington
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