The Modern Pledge

WITH the hit TV sitcom Modern Family set to come to Australia to film in the next few months, openly-gay and married star Jessy Tyler Ferguson, who plays gay father Mitchell Pritchett in the show, has taken his visit as an opportunity push for Australian marriage equality equality through his Tie the Knot foundation by pledging $10,000.

On a blog message on the Tie the Knot website Ferguson wrote: “We have great faith in their strength and perseverance…. so much so I am personally pledging $10,000 toward the marriage equality efforts in Australia.”

His pledge comes after he heard the news of Australia’s High Court striking down laws that permitted same-sex couples to marry in the ACT.

In Modern Family, Ferguson’s character is engaged to his on-screen gay partner Cameron Tucker (Eric Stonestreet) and with a big gay wedding rumoured for the show, Ferguson confirmed on Australian breakfast television that the trip Down Under will not include the rumoured wedding.

He also ‘laid down a challenge’ for Australia to catch up to neighbour New Zealand with same-sex marriage laws.

On his blog, Ferguson also wrote about his love of Australia: “My husband Justin and I travelled to Sydney and Melbourne last Thanksgiving where we immediately fell in love with Australia.

“I think Ozzies are officially the coolest people on this planet. Oh, and their meat pies are amazing. (Yes, we ate Thanksgiving dinner at “Pie Face”. Don’t judge us).”

There is no conformation as yet as to where his $10,000 will exactly be going or how it would be utilised.