Voters know that Tony Abbott opposes gay marriage but what he hasn’t been able to share with the electorate until now is the compassion and support he’s shown towards his sister, Christine Forster, since she has come out as a gay woman.
The siblings are extremely close and strikingly similar in appearance and personality but they stand on different sides of the gay marriage debate. The Opposition Leader is a traditionalist who believes marriage is for men and women. Ms Forster is committed to a live-in relationship with her partner, Virginia Edwards.
The two women were photographed together supporting gay marriage at the Lesbians in the (Opera) House concert last year. Ms Forster has tried to change her brother’s mind during spirited discussions at family gatherings but she has not stepped into the public arena. He’s the politician, she’s a private citizen who had hoped to stay out of the spotlight.
Both knew media interest was inevitable, given the intense passion around gay marriage and the gathering momentum for reform. They spoke to The Weekend Australian Magazine about the collision between their public and personal lives.
“In response to the media interest, I have decided to publicly confirm that I am gay and am in a committed, live-in relationship,” Ms Forster said. “My brother and I have always had a strong relationship and he respects and supports me and my lifestyle choices.”