Marriage equality supporters gather on the steps of the State Library. Photo: Mal Fairclough
Melbourne musician Paige Phoenix says he will never forget the day he and his wife received the letter telling him their marriage was not valid.
Phoenix, a transgender person, said he had “hoped and prayed” his marriage would “not get picked up by the system”.
The musician, who formerly appeared on talent show the X-Factor, told his story to a crowd of hundreds outside the State Library on Sunday, gathered for an Equal Love rally in support of marriage equality.
The couple had used Phoenix’s passport to marry, and did not have both the male and female birth certificate required.
He told the crowd he had felt devalued and delegitimised by the letter.
“I will not feed into a system of inequality by hiding my story as though it was something to be ashamed of, as though our love of each other is the problem,” he said.
“(But) there is a piece that we won’t be able to restore until this legislation is changed so that gender is no longer a consideration,” he said.
Crowds convey messages supporting marriage equality, on the steps of the State Library in Melbourne. Photo: Mal Fairclough
Greens deputy leader and Melbourne MP Adam Bandt also attended the Equal Love rally, urging the crowd to lobby federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to allow Coalition MPs a conscience vote on marriage equality.
Mr Bandt is calling for a vote on his Marriage Equality Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives on June 6.
He said there was “overwhelming public support” for removing discrimination from the Marriage Act “and that is shown by the thousands of people who attend these rallies”.
“Equality is not really equality unless everyone has it. It’s critical that parliament sends a message to everyone in the community – especially young people who are working out who they are attracted to – that all love is equal,” Mr Bandt said.
“It’s a real opportunity as we head into an election for every member of parliament to say where they stand.”
Mel Jeffery, 24, of Nunawading attended the Equal Love rally with friends.
“Everyone is equal and they should have the right to love who they want to love,” she said.
“We need to catch up with the rest of the world.”
Author: Chris Hingston
Publication: The Age
Publication Date: May 11 2013