Marriage stories push campaign
A website telling the stories of same-sex couples wanting to marry has been launched as couples prepare to descend on Canberra to make their voices heard.
The MyMarriageStory website features stories from same-sex couples and parents and friends of people who are unable to legally marry in Australia.
Australian Marriage Equality national convenor Alex Greenwich urged people to take part in the campaign and share their relationship stories on the site.
“We want to hear from people who want to get married but can’t because the law won’t let them,” Greenwich said.
“We want to hear from these people’s families and friends who have their own love story to tell.
“We believe all families should have the right to marriage equality and the freedom to celebrate their love and commitment with the person they wish to wed.”
In one story shared online, soon-to-be father of twins Adam McLeod said he wants to marry his partner Paul to give his children a secure environment to grow up in similar to his own upbringing with his opposite-sex married parents.
“Seeing the effort they put into their marriage has given me the strength and skills to ensure my relationship is based on honesty, trust, compassion and love,” McLeod said.
The MyMarriageStory website is part of the Real Families, Real Stories campaign to change the Marriage Act to allow same-sex couples to marry and is supported by LGBTI groups including the WA, NSW, Victorian and Tasmanian gay and lesbian rights lobbies, the Queensland Association for Healthy Communities, the Australian Coalition for Equality, LGBTI radio station JOY94.9 and PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians And Gays).
Same-sex couples and their families involved in the campaign will go to Canberra on October 12 to lobby MPs by sharing their stories and hopes for the future.
