Senator Dean Smith wants to hear your marriage equality story

With the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey well under way, Senator for Western Australia Dean Smith is encouraging people to share their stories.

In a media release, Senator Smith said he wanted to hear from Western Australians about their experiences of the postal survey and what the issue of marriage equality meant to them, their family and friends.

“There is no doubt the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey is giving rise to many deeply-felt and genuine emotions across WA’s LGBTI community and I am interested in hearing about those experiences,” Senator Smith said.

“It is my hope that Western Australians will share the uplifting and affirming stories of discussing the issue with family and friends, but also lighten the burden by sharing some of the more challenging and disappointing ones.

“The reality is that WA’s LGBTI community will have their own unique experiences and it is important they be recorded.”

Senator Smith said this was a defining moment for the country and should be captured.

“I’ve been touched and at times saddened by some of the stories Australians have shared with me about their experiences during the campaign.

“It is my intention to use these experiences in a parliamentary speech so that the historical record is accurate and easily available for future generations to read.

“The postal survey as a means to determine the legal rights of LGBTI Australians is not what we wanted and certainly a deviation from our parliamentary practices, but we must now embrace this and affirm our own day-to-day experiences in it.

“I encourage Western Australians to ‘Share Your Story’ with me and tell me about what marriage equality means to you, how you have fared during the postal survey campaign or what future you see for the country should marriage equality be realised.

The Liberal senator, who has put forward a private member’s bill which may be the legislation that make marriage equality a rally in Australia, was not always in favour of allowing same sex couples to marry.

“Everyone’s journey is different and valuable – I myself started out in opposition to marriage equality and have since become a strong advocate.

“There are interesting stories to be told – this is a historic moment for Australia and we should do our best to record it,” Senator Smith said.

Stories 250 words or less can be submitted via email with the subject line “Share Your Story”.

OIP Staff