In Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s western suburbs electorate, a couple is bickering in their kitchen. “Where have you put everything? I can’t find anything.” The recriminations fly, and a few jokey jostles result in a big, warm cuddle. So far, so normal. The only difference here is that after almost a decade together, this couple can’t get married. Why? Because they are gay.
Across the world, marriage equality has been gaining traction. In the US, seven states (including New York and Washington DC) have sanctioned same-sex unions, and traditionally conservative nations including the UK and Spain have long since embraced gay partnerships. But here in a Werribee kitchen, John Dini and Steve Russell are perplexed by their prime minister’s refusal to support gay marriage.