Pollies dine out for marriage equality
A large contingent of politicians both state and federal were among the 120 or so attendees at Wednesday’s Equality Dinner for marriage equality at Sydney’s Quay restaurant.
By far the largest group were Coalition politicians from New South Wales, with the Liberal President of the Legislative Council, Don Harwin, Coogee MP Bruce Notley-Smith, City of Sydney Councillor Shayne Mallard, Randwick Mayor Scott Nash and the Nationals MLC Trevor Khan all in attendance.
No Labor MPs were sighted by this journalist. However Tasmanian premier Lara Giddings and Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd both sent their regrets for not being able to attend – as did Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
Representing the Greens was Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, fresh from announcing a Senate inquiry into same-sex marriage, and she assisted in both the auction and raffle draw which raised thousands more dollars for the 2012 campaign for marriage equality through the night.
A lunch at Cafe DOV with PFLAG Australia national spokeswoman Shelley Argent was won by Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras chair Peter Urmson for $320.
Nationals MLC Trevor Khan was the big bidder on the night, scoring two signed limited edition still frames for GetUp’s recent marriage equality commercial for $500 and a double pass to the Lord Mayor’s 2012 New Years Eve party for $1250.
A signed Katy Perry photo set was picked by Star Observer columnist Jesse Matheson for $500, while a signed Lady Gaga poster went to another punter for $1300.
A microphone signed by Aussie pop diva Kylie Minogue sold for $2000, while a special Mardi Gras package including VIP treatment at both the parade and party went for $1100- with Hanson-Young hinting that the winning bidder would have a chance to rub shoulders at the party with an Australian musician known for her “gold hot pants” who people would be as familiar with as their “neighbours.”
Prominent community member Bruce Pollack took home a prize from Vodaphone in the raffle as did Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association president Paul Lee-Maynard, while the Institute of Public Affairs’ Tim Wilson took home a case of Argentine wine donated by the Embassy of Argentina.
There was a brief moment of panic in the room when a woman began choking. However marriage equality advocate and MD Professor Kerryn Phelps was called and quickly intervened to clear the woman’s airways in an unexpected call away from her role as one of the speakers on the night.
Quote of the night went to Australian Marriage Equality national convenor Alex Greenwich with his quip that, “to be gay is not a choice. – if it was more people would choose it,” in response to claims to the contrary by former tennis great Margaret Court in that morning’s Herald Sun.
Glad the Coalition enjoyed the night out. Attending a dinner is easy. Voting in Parliament for a equality is where it counts. I am sick of being thankful for crumbs from the Coalition and their “uncle Tom” supporters on the gay community
Was Clover Moore too busy with other dual role duties to be able to attend this vitally important dinner for our community?
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