12.25pm.
It’s Saturday August 14. Bob Dylan’s ‘Times They Are A Changing’ chimes peacefully throughout Perth’s city centre as people slowly wander into the Forest Place piazza. Flags striped in six searing bright colours are planted around the square and the winter sun is blazing. Dylan’s lyrics of progress ring true for this day as men proudly hold their male partners in their arms and women openly kiss their female partners in the Perth CBD, in broad daylight.
‘The line it is drawn’
They were there to deliver a message to the echelons of government similar to that of Dylan’s back in 1964: a message that they don’t want to be treated differently, that society does want to move forward and that tradition is no longer an excuse. Anti-gay marriage advocates have long rested on the laurels of history as a validation fit for the future. These claims should be questioned as poll after poll reinforces the fact the majority of Australia supports this simple right.
The most outrageous answer to the debate question continues to be the major parties blunt assertion that marriage is between a man and a woman and that it’s been so throughout history. Which sections of the society were asked if this was ok, who did the former PM John Howard question? This ban was instituted only six years ago; a mandate set by the Howard government. Temporary protection visas also existed then but we have since progressed and human rights advocates now slam these measures as indecent, even inhumane measures. WorkChoices, anyone? So how can this excuse of tradition continue?
‘There’s a battle raging outside…’
Over 1,000 people reportedly congregated in Forest Place once the rally was in the full swing. The myriad of people was nothing short of incredible. Homosexuals, heterosexuals, transgender and everyone in between made their plea. SameSame reported around 10,000 people around the country voiced their disdain by stepping out to be counted. High-profile Australians including Will Anderson, Ruby Rose and Josh Thomas also called on governments for change.
In Perth, the rally brought community leaders to the fore to orate their views. But what wasn’t present was the usual rabble of anti-gay protesters, calling out with banners that proclaim all sorts of derogative messages concerning homosexuals. Personally, it would be amazing to believe that the usual cluster of zealots had a change of heart; lowering their messages of hate and embracing their homosexual brethren but the recent media frenzy concerning Family First and One Nation candidates leads me to believe otherwise.
‘Come Senators, Congressman, Please heed the call.’
Greens candidate Rachel Siewert blasted the major parties with a stern call-out to her senate colleagues. She delivered a scathing speech on the basic rights of Australians and demanded that her fellow statesmen consider a conscience vote on the reintroduction of the Marriage Equality Bill, met by roars of support. There were no Labor or Liberal candidates to defend their case at the West Australian rally. Understandably, any member from either party would consider the appearance as an attempt of character suicide. Yet Melbourne’s rally drew Labor’s Melbourne candidate Cath Bowtell.
Importantly, we have come a long way in the federal recognition of LGBT relationships but the social recognition of this status will always linger in society. The great leaps forward made by the Rudd government may pass by, unappreciated by this generation because these substantial achievements in federal rights will be overshadowed by the tumultuous fight ahead.
‘Don’t criticise what you don’t understand, your sons and daughters are beyond your command.’
Finally, I don’t write this to advocate the push for gay marriage (although I can see where I’ve been hypocritical) but to ask the opponents of same-sex wedlock this: give this community a legitimate excuse for the ban or let’s start moving forward with some real action (pun intended).
Benn Dorrington
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