The stuck record of marriage equality

The stuck record of marriage equality

Every now and again this newspaper is challenged over its coverage of the campaign for marriage equality, usually around the volume of it.

That marriage hogs the headlines is bound to be a continual source of frustration for activists who’ve spend years toiling away for less popular causes or advances that appear, on the surface anyway, to impact a small number of the population.

After all these years, Victoria still does not have a government-funded trans support service like Sydney enjoys with The Gender Centre, nor do same-sex parents have the right to adopt children in Victoria like our NSW counterparts, albeit with some of the nasties the NSW laws contain.

These are important causes that should not be forgotten in the push for marriage and certainly we endeavour to make sure when there is action, or inaction, in these areas, we report it. After all, that’s why we’re here.

The marriage equality issue does feel like a stuck record at times and it’s true this paper, like others, devotes a vast amount of coverage to the issue.

The main reasons for this, certainly in the last 12 months, is quite simple. There’s been a lot to report.

For what would be a seemingly simple change — changing a few words in the Marriage Act — the road to change is still a long way ahead.

But this community can walk and chew gum at the same time. As many working in aged care, in the transgender community and in rainbow families groups are doing.

While the knock-on effects of marriage may not help politicians see the virtue of resourcing a trans support centre for example, the move is a towards fostering a more accepting society, one willing to listen to and address the needs of a minority.

As a movement, the marriage equality campaign has gained breathtaking traction in a short time, especially among the young. Readers of this paper certainly feel strongly about it.

There are those who don’t, who’s voice should be heard, but it seems even the most ardent opponents can’t see the logic in same-sex couples being excluded from marriage, as outdated and irrelevant as the institution may seem.

With the purpose of keeping the issue on the boil, Greens MP Adam Bandt has been successful with his motion. And with August 24 pegged as the date for parliamentarians to report back on the issue, there’s likely to be a lot more to say.

But there a simple way to stop the talking about same-sex marriage and get on with other things. Allow it.

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