Dying man’s plea for equality
Since finding out his partner had terminal cancer two years ago, Mitchell, 27, has written more than 200 letters to local, state and federal politicians pleading for the right to marry.
So far the office of every politician he has written to has responded but one – Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Mitchell’s first letter to Gillard was sent in November 2010. A follow up was sent in July this year and a third letter sent this month, but to date all have gone unacknowledged by the Prime Minister’s office.
In an interview with the Star Observer last week, Mitchell and partner Patrick, 25, spoke of how desperately they wanted to get married while Patrick was well enough to do so.
“It would mean the world to us,” Mitchell said. “I recently watched my sister marry and be able to express publicly her love for her partner – a love which I am not currently able to show. That’s very upsetting for me.”
The couple said they were “disgusted” every politician had responded except the PM.
Responses ranged from form letters reading, “we do not support any change to Commonwealth law that could diminish the institution of marriage,” from Liberal’s John Howard and Tony Abbott, to a three-page letter from former attorney-general Phillip Ruddock.
A number of politicians, including Cunningham Labor MP Sharon Bird, made time to meet with the Wollongong couple.
Having already been through a year of chemotherapy, Patrick spoke about the difficulties of living with cancer — from falling over from weakness and being rushed to hospital late at night, to having to take high doses of potentially deadly medications.
The couple have been told Patrick will be lucky to see another Christmas, but, “I would rather live day-to-day and not know how much longer I have left,” he told the Star Observer.
Despite these difficulties, Patrick is hopeful of fulfilling a life-long ambition to become a teacher and spends four days a week at university. He recently completed time as a student teacher.
The couple are spending as much time together as possible and regularly go clubbing on Oxford St, and both are excited about attending the Buck$ Night party at Slide on September 23, which is a fundraiser for the Australian Marriage Equality group.
After hearing the couple’s story, the Star Observer contacted the Prime Minister’s office and, after a number of phone calls and emails, a press advisor confirmed the letters “had been received and a response was likely over coming weeks”.
“It will be great when we finally get marriage equality so I can spend less time writing letters and more time going out with Patrick,” Mitchell said.
By JEREMY MASPERO
This beautiful, heart breaking story is inspirational. It should certainly be heard by a wider audience.
Hang in their boys. If ever there was a case for marriage, of a loving couple supporting each other, then you two are it!
It is very disappointing that Julia Gillard cannot even respond when so many other politicians have. Decency and dignity are in short supply as far as this Labor Prime Minister is concerned.
How could anyone with a shred of compassion say that allowing two people who love each other to marry would ‘diminish the institution of marriage’ – ie gay relationships are inferior to straight ones! It would be hard to think of a worse insult!
Although Ms Gillard is acknowledging the compelling marriage equality messages from the Labour Party, her personal view remains unchanged. Mitchell and Patrick’s story is compelling and heart breaking and should be heard by a wider audience. This is inequality at the sharp end. Thanks Jeremy for delivering this story.
Wow, people are incredibly heartless. I will never understand how people like Howard & Abbott et al can look another human being in the eye and say, “you don’t deserve the same rights as I do; you’re not as human as I am. You don’t deserve the comfort of dying within the comfort of a legally recognized union with your partner.” Bigots like that are, in reality, the lesser beings than those who love selflessly. I wish both of these young men well.
This couple (or their friends or family) might want to share their story here http://www.mymarriagestory.com.au
Hi boys. As a 24yo testicular cancer survivor, my heart goes out to you. Cancer is not a nice business! Although your time together will be shorter than you would have liked, I hope that it will be meaningful and that you get your wish fulfilled!!
Hey boys, well done! Please find a way to publish all the letters you got in response, and add Gillard’s (if it comes) to the end. It tells a great story. All the best to you both for the future.