GetUP and Australian Marriage Equality Sponsor Royal Wedding
Mass Email Campaign Launched with 10,000 Emails to MPs already sent
A mass email campaign and sponsorship of the open-air viewings of the Royal Wedding are the next steps in the campaign for marriage equality ahead of the national Labor Party conference later this year.
Australian Marriage Equality National Convener, Alex Greenwich, said the organisation has launched a mass email campaign to politicians in response to a similar campaign by some church groups.
“Since federal parliament endorsed a motion calling on MPs to consult on marriage equality, politicians have received thousands of anti-equality emails, so now it’s time for supporters of equality to make their voices heard too”, Mr Greenwich said.
“Since our new Say ‘I do’ to marriage equality website was launched this morning 10,000 emails have been sent through it, and we expect the number to increase dramatically when we begin mainstream advertising for the campaign.”
Meanwhile, Australian Marriage Equality and Get Up! will be key sponsors of the live, outdoor, public screenings of the royal wedding in Sydney on Friday, April 29 from 10am in Customs House and Moore Park.
Sponsorship will include screenings of a marriage equality television advertisement, as well as distribution of giftbags with information about marriage equality and a wedding cake served to spectators from Gaycakes.
The two groups hope to send the message that many gay and lesbian Australians share William and Kate’s aspiration to marry and share a life together.
“The buzz around the royal wedding is a good example of why marriage is important to so many people – as a way of expressing commitment to a loved one and having your relationship recognised by the rest of our society,” GetUp spokesperson Paul Mackay said. “It’s time the Government to support equality and fairness for all couples.”
Alex Greenwich, National Convener, Australian Marriage Equality added:
“Many Australians who will be celebrating the royal wedding, including many gay and lesbian Australians, share the aspiration to one day marry their own “prince” or “princess”.”
Prime Minister Julia Gillard will be attending the wedding with her de facto partner, Tim Matheson.
Also in attendance will be along Elton John and husband David Furnish, and openly-gay rugby player Gareth Thomas. The official wedding poem will be written by out lesbian Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy.
“We hope the wedding shows Julia Gillard why marriage is still important, for everyone”, Mr Greenwich said.
To access the new AME webform, click here
To view the GetUP and AME advertisement, click here
For Further information please call Alex Greenwich (AME) on 0421 316 335
or Paul Mackay (GetUP) on 0415 182 402