Lynn MacLaren, The Greens MLC for the Southern Metro Region responds to the latest poll showing overwhelming support for marriage equality.
Today, whether you were straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, intersex or questioning, you would have woken up to news that support for same-sex marriage has jumped in Australia.
As of June this year, a poll commissioned by Australian Marriage Equality revealed a whopping 72% of Australians want same-sex marriage legalised.
This reform is now, more than ever, a no brainer. It has officially moved into the category of overwhelming acceptance by a clear majority to legislation that will have zero negative impacts, a category reserved for large social justice movements that we look back on and ask ‘how did anyone ever oppose this?’
This news would have probably thrown you back to the weekend, where our news feeds and media outlets filled to the brim with revelations that Australian Olympic gold medalist Ian Thorpe officially came out as gay.
As most of us know, Thorpe batted down public (and highly sensationalised) speculations about his sexuality since the tender age of 16. Now at age 31 – 15 long years later – the truth is out. What followed (and continues to do so) is a national conversation about whether we really care about the sexual orientation of an Australian sporting icon.
After today’s news, it would seem we do more than ever. The actions of Ian Thorpe do not just help the closeted teen come to terms with their sexuality and the prospect of coming out to loved ones, but also to any Australian not previously touched by the issue, who saw Thorpe struggling through bated breath to admit his struggle with sexuality that has spanned over a decade.
What we are witnessing are key milestones on the journey to a social justice movement that cannot be avoided or ignored, but rather embraced thanks to the brave decisions of high profile Australians. As Ian Thorpe came out across the nations television screens, acceptance grew. The bravery of one individual has once again sent ripples of love, understanding and hope through the broader community.
The push for same-sex marriage legislation, like social justice movements before it, will only increase in acceptance and popularity as time goes by. Both State and Federal governments are failing to reflect modern day Australian values by denying the right for same-sex couples to marry. The huge increase in acceptance as reflected in the most recent poll was anticipated, and now reflects support that is stronger than other Western nations when same-sex marriage was legalised in step with majority values.
Not only has opposition to same-sex marriage collapsed, with just one in five Australians or 21 per cent opposed; the poll has shown that a majority of voters across a range of demographics and in almost every age group support same-sex marriage. Any member of parliament who denies this reform would not be representing the strong majority that elected them.
With little sign of Tony Abbott budging on the issue, Western Australia must stand up and be counted in pushing for this reform. I urge state legislators in WA to support my same-sex marriage bill, which I introduced late last year. Federal complacency for reform also exists in the US; the response has been state-by-state legislation of same-sex marriage by law makers who can no longer ignore their conscience. State legislators throughout the US refuse to stand in the way of a movement that will go down in history books. Societal change that was born from overwhelming acceptance towards a group rapidly stepping away from marginalisation cannot be ignored.
There is a lot of work to be done, homophobia is still alive and well in Australia. Perhaps when talking to your local MP, ask them – ‘do you have children? What do they think of this?’ This question is a powerful one, as our youth do not only stand as our biggest supporters for same-sex marriage, but also represent our future voters. This seed must be planted in the minds of those that represent us today, as they are mindful of whom they will be representing tomorrow.
The time has come, the next milestone should be right here on WA soil, head to my website to show your support for Same-Sex Marriage in Western Australia.
Lynn MacLaren
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