Proposal for Kevin Rudd

Two South Australian lesbians are asking for love letters to send to Kevin Rudd.

Trae Thomas and Michelle Rogers want to use letters and photos from couples who share a love and commitment equal to that of heterosexuals and want to get married to show the government why it must reconsider its stance on same-sex marriage.

We were so moved by the Californian marriage of Del Martin, 87, and Phyllis Lyon, 83, who have been together 56 years that we wanted to be counted on this issue, Thomas told Sydney Star Observer.

She has started a campaign to gather as many letters as possible from same-sex couples, with a photo of the couple together, to send to Rudd on 8 October.

I’m asking you to be as honest and raw with your words and attach an emotive photograph of you if single or you and your partner, Thomas said.

It is easy to dismiss a list of names on a black and white petition and not connect with the real human tragedy and injustice of discrimination or the sheer possibility of love.

Thomas and Rogers have written their own letter to Rudd, calling on him to let them marry.

I am my father’s only daughter and it would be an honour for both he and I to walk down the aisle to my future wife, Rogers wrote. Because I am gay I am not equal under Australian law. He may die before we share that moment together.

She wrote that she was ashamed to live in a country that discriminates.

A country who does not recognise a group as equal under the law, exposes that group to ridicule, humiliation and a status of -˜less than’. Of course we are vilified, attacked and cast aside, the letter continued.

In return, gay people pay taxes, become pillars of society, are not violent, do not run in gangs, do not start hate riots, do not add to racial tension, unlike other groups in society we embrace others without question and yet we still suffer institutionalised homophobia.

info: The letters and photos can be sent to PO Box 539, Goodwood, South Australia, 5034.