I’m angry at the world right now. I could do with a hug. Or a stiff drink. Or a phone call from a friend. Or all of the above.
During my lunch break, I called my dad to vent my frustrations about the Liberal Party’s stance on marriage equality. I was distressed. Dad could tell. But he said something out of the blue that brought a strange sense of comfort.
It was an analogy that sounded like an oblique thought bubble at first, but meant so much.
He told me he was looking through the telescope at 2.30am the other morning. He said: “You know what I noticed? The shadow of the earth was on the moon. Our shadow is covering the moon. All of the bad things that are happening in the world are that shadow.”
My dad can see it. Why spread more darkness in this world? It sounds so simple, but it’s so true. Of course, we are living in Australia and not a war-torn part of the world. We are privileged. But we also have a duty to one another to make life lighter wherever possible.
And yet all I’ve felt this week is dark. This week, the Liberal Party decided once again that my relationship (10 years and counting) doesn’t deserve the dignity they get to enjoy by default as heterosexuals. By dragging the “issue” of marriage equality to a $122m voluntary postal vote, the government has opened the floodgates for a torrent of hate speech directed at LGBTI people, who are all just trying to live normal lives.
As a gay person, I feel pretty vulnerable. The torrent of crap being hurled at the LGBTI community has already started. Anti-gay groups are printing pamphlets to drop into your mailbox spreading lies about rainbow families and trans people. Tony Abbott is rallying for people to vote “no” to beat “political correctness”. Bronwyn Bishop is freaking out about polygamy (which has nothing to do with two people getting married).
Top Comments
When the Yes vote wins, you'll be glad the people spoke rather than the pollies, so just be brave and patient, and it will be worth it for you all.
Ive got nothing against you personally, I hope you find happiness and I think Government doesn't belong in your marital affairs. Ok so far?
But I am concerned that someone asks for marriage equality and in the same article dismisses polygamy. Why? Why discriminate against polygamy? It has a well established cultural and legal framework around the world and has for centuries. Do you just want equality for your situation or for all?
Second, I want to know what would happen to any person who doesn't want to aide or participate in a SSM? Should they be protected or not from legal action?
I'm prepared to listen, I'm not the only fence sitter who wants answers around the details.
ive no issue with it as long as everything legal and monetary is worked out fairly beforehand. two people fighting over things is quite straightforward compared to three or more
There are definitely questions about power, individual freedom and control involved with regards to polygamy. Especially given the history of polygamy being mainly in societies where women are subservient to men. Proving consent between two adults who are equals in love (whether homosexual or heterosexual) is very different to proving equality and consent with 3-4-5 or more individuals.
I don't think that allowing ssm will automatically mean that the next step is polygamy as it's a very different situation. To me marriage is about romantic love - loving one person so much you want to be with them forever - and I think polygamy is about something else.
Funnily many of the arguments used by the "no" campaign (such as marriage being about children and how children need a mother and father) could be used for polygamy.