OFFENDED by a traditional marriage sign put up in her town, a young gay woman from Wynyard decided to make a stand of her own.

Eighteen-year-old Jocelyn Poke was upset when she discovered the sign on the corner of Goldie and Saunders streets, which depicted a male and female gender symbol and two wedding rings.

Miss Poke and her partner Xyliah Walker posted a photo on Facebook of them in an embrace in front of the sign with their own sign which read “love is love”.

The picture has attracted more than 1500 “likes” since being posted on The Advocate’s Facebook page on Tuesday afternoon.

Miss Poke said most of the feedback to her post had been positive, despite the odd offensive statement.

Miss Poke said she was angry and upset about the sign, organised by Graham Hodge, being put up in the small town.

“It’s something that people have to drive past on the way to work, and for the people who are homosexual, it’s hard enough to come out, and now there is a big sign which makes it look like the town doesn’t agree,” she said.

“It’s a small town and the first thing you see is the sign on the shop – it’s not a reflection of the community.”

Miss Poke said her photographic response was done to get a point across.

“We can’t get married, we can’t get recognised as being an actual couple and this is a big kick in the guts,” she said.

“It was not done to kick up a stink, but to put our point across that we do support marriage equality and not everyone in Wynyard is with Graham Hodge.

“It’s 2013, not the 1800s.”

Miss Poke said she had contacted the Waratah- Wynyard Council to complain.

The council said it was currently investigating the legalities of the sign.

Author: Cameron Whiteley
Publication: The Advocate
Publication Date: June 6 2013

Read more….

Tasmanian Shop Owner Appalled
Defacing of Sign Slammed
Media Release – Wynyard Billboard Vandalism Condemned