Australian Marriage Equality has congratulated well known couple Kerryn Phelps and Jackie Stricker-Phelps on their recent marriage in New York. The details of their wedding were released in this month’s Women’s Weekly.

Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Alex Greenwich, congratulated the happy couple.

“On behalf of the millions of Australians who support marriage equality I congratulate Kerryn and Jackie on their wedding’, Mr Greenwich said.

“Their family, friends, and faith have long recognised their love and commitment and now that love and commitment has been legally solemnised and is recognised in over 20 places around the world”.

Mr Greenwich said their New York marriage highlights the absurdity of Australia’s ban on recognising same-sex marriages: “The fact that Jackie and Kerryn had to go overseas to marry, as well as the failure of the Australian Government to recognise their marriage upon their return, highlights the absurdity of the Australian Government’s ban on same-sex marriages.”

“For the Australian Government to disregard the solemn marriage vows taken by same-sex partners overseas is an affront not just to these couples but to the institution of marriage itself.”

Mr Greenwich said Kerryn and Jackie are one of many same-sex couples who have travelled overseas to get married, but upon their return are not recognised by the Australian Government.

“The love and commitment of many gay and lesbian couples is so strong that they will travel far from home at great expense to get married in countries that don’t discriminate against them.”

Kerryn and Jackie previously had a religious ceremony in a synagogue in New York 13 years ago, and returned this year to have their marriage legally recognised.

A full list of places that allow and recognise same-sex marriages can be found here:
https://www.australianmarriageequality.org/overseas-same-sex-marriages/

For more information contact Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335.