MPs targeted on Valentine’s Day for new marriage equality campaign

AUSTRALIAN Marriage Equality today revealed the 50 federal MPs targeted by its new nationwide We’re Waiting campaign, launched in Canberra this morning.

According to the lobby group, only a minimum of 25 of the 50 MPs targeted were needed to support reform for legislation to pass Federal Parliament and the renewed push for marriage equality, which comes in time with Valentine’s Day today, aimed to “put a face to the millions of Australians waiting for reform”.

The campaign also aims to empower community members in the electorates of targeted MPs to help reform happen.

As part of the campaign, the targeted MPs will receive a rose today from people who are “waiting” for reform, such as gay couples waiting to marry, heterosexual couples who are waiting for their gay friends to marry, and parents and friends of LGBTI couples who are waiting to get married.

Australian Marriage Equality National Director Rodney Croome said: “Today we launch our new campaign to activate grass roots support in the 50 electorates we have identified are key to achieving marriage equality.

“We have selected 50 MPs who we believe may be persuaded to support reform, and if we can persuade just half of them, marriage equality will pass.”

“This (campaign) starts from today with marriage equality supporters, gay and straight, visiting their MPs office for the first time to deliver roses, start the conversation about marriage equality, and ask them the question ‘what are you waiting for?'”

The campaign has already gained the support of Australian rugby union star David Pocock, who is waiting until the laws change before he marries partner Emma.

“It comes down to equal love. I don’t think it’s the government’s role to tell people that their love is right or wrong,” he said.

“I couldn’t keep quiet while people I loved dearly were being penalised for their sexuality ­something they can do nothing about.

“Oh, and also the sky didn’t fall during the few days of marriage equality in Canberra ­ which no doubt many anti equality groups predicted.”

To view the campaign video and to view the full list of MPs who have been targeted as part of the campaign, visit www.werewaiting.org