A perfect marriage
What is your event about?
The forum is Australian Marriage Equality’s first event and will be the official launch of our group. It’s a chance for the community to come together and begin a much-needed ongoing discussion on marriage equality. It is a great opportunity for all members of our community to get involved in a very grassroots campaign for equality and freedom.
Why gay marriage?
Frank Sinatra once sang that love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage. Getting married is certainly not something all LGBT people want to do. However, if our relationships are to be treated equally we should certainly have the freedom of choice. Our love is no different to our heterosexual counterparts’ so why should it be treated as such?
What are you looking forward to seeing in the festival?
Each year I really enjoy the exciting buzz and sense of community the festival brings to LGBT Sydney. I never miss the Queer Screen film festival and I especially enjoy My Queer Career, the annual short film competition.
What’s your favourite Mardi Gras memory?
Taking my mum to Fair Day with my partner on the Route 69 bus from Taylor Square to Victoria Park, and her surprise and excitement as she realised not only was the bus full to capacity with LGBT people but even the bus driver was gay!
What does Mardi Gras mean to you?
It’s a time to reflect on what it means to be LGBT in Sydney. To look back at where we have been and to look far forward, rekindling our personal dreams about where we want to go next.
Australian Marriage Equality: Official Launch and Forum is on Saturday 12 February at 2:30pm in the Pride Centre, 104 Erskineville Rd, Erskineville. Speakers include Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Kerryn Phelps and Rodney Croome. This is a free event.
