GLBTIQ groups from across the country are calling for Australians from all walks of life to share their stories about why marriage equality is important to them.
A new website – mymarriagestory.com.au – enables gay and lesbian Australians and their families and friends to share stories with marriage equality advocates quickly and easily.
The website will help GLBTIQ organisations from across Australia identify and promote stories that show Members of Parliament why marriage equality matters to so many Australians, both gay and straight.
Last year the Lower House of Parliament passed a motion calling on MPs to consult with their constituents about marriage equality. This new campaign will help GLBTI organisations across Australia share meaningful stories with national law-makers.
“This campaign is about putting a face to the huge support for equality from across Australia,” said Alex Greenwich of Australian Marriage Equality. “It will be a way for all the groups campaigning for marriage equality to reach out to as many Australians as possible and combine our voices in calling for equality.”
Stories are sought from the old and the young, parents and grandparents, city and country. Supporters will be encouraged to ask family members, friends and work colleagues to share their story. To show how much marriage equality matters, stories are being sought from every part of Australia.
The NSW Gay and Lesbian rights lobby is keen to be a part of this campaign, spokesperson Daniel Scaysbrook “The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby is working within an alliance of GLBTI organisations to gather stories across Australia about rainbow families from all walks of life.”
“We are working together to ensure that the diverse stories of our community are shared. Marriage equality is an issue that affect the lives of many LGBTI people, and their friends and families. By telling these stories we hope to end the legislative discrimination against all people on the basis of their sex, sexuality and gender identity.”
During the 2010 Federal Election, Geoff Thomas inspired many Australians when he told Tony Abbott that he, a Vietnam veteran and plumbing contractor, was supportive of marriage equality for his gay son and for all Australians
“It is people like Geoff Thomas, whose story we hope will sway politicians to stand up for equality,” said Alex Greenwich of Australian Marriage Equality.
For further information, please contact:
Alex Greenwich (Australian Marriage Equality) on 0421 316 335
Daniel Scaysbrook (Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby) on 0416 481 522
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