Canadian-based couple call for change

An Australian television host living in Canada has called on the Labor Party to change its position on same-sex marriage ahead of Saturday’s National Conference debate.

Ryan Carter, a panelist on MTV Canada chat show One Girl, Five Gays, said he is hurt his marriage to his partner of nine years, Dan, is not recognised in his home country.

The couple moved to Toronto, Canada in 2008 and on September 24 were married in their new homeland.

Watch Carter’s plea here:

The pair have known each other since childhood, attending the same schools in Port Macquarie, New South Wales.

“I didn’t really think about [getting married] until we moved to Canada in 2008, and a few friends asked ‘are you guys going to get married?'” Carter told the Star Observer.

“After a couple of years, when we realised we’d be here in Toronto for a while, we talked about it and then got married.”

Carter said it’s hurtful his marriage is not recognised at home.

“To have our relationship recognised by the country we live in means a lot,” he said.

“To stand in front of our new friends in Toronto, my Mum and two close friends who made the long journey here from Australia, felt incredible.

“To be denied the right to marry the person I love, simply because we’re of the same gender doesn’t reflect the values of the Australia I want to be proud of.”