GetUp and Australian Marriage Equality will today step up their campaign to legalise same-sex marriage by launching a national television advertising campaign in Sydney’s Martin Place.
“During the Federal Election, it became evident that marriage equality was an issue Australians cared about despite the major parties’ failure to address it,” GetUp National Director Simon Sheikh said. “Our politicians are elected to lead, but are far behind the public on this – it’s time they step up to the plate and support equality and fairness for all couples.”
The ad features a pair of identical twins, David and Paul, who offer anecdotes of their shared opportunities and interests. Paul reflects on his experience as Best Man at David’s wedding and how he, as a gay man, is denied the opportunity to marry his own long-term partner.
“GetUp is working with AME to launch this national TV campaign, and we will be urging our 430,000 members to actively fight for change, so that politicians can no longer ignore the fact that all Australians are equal – regardless of their sexual orientation – and that their relationships should be recognised as such.”
AME National Convener, Alex Greenwich said the campaign highlights that gay and straight Australians share the same lives and aspirations and should not be treated differently by the law.
“David and Paul remind us that gay and straight Australians lead the same lives, form the same loving relationships, belong to the same families and communities – that sexual orientation is the least important difference between us”, Mr Greenwich said.
“It’s time for our politicians to recognise this fact by removing the discrimination and exclusion entrenched in the Marriage Act. It’s time to re-enforce the values of love and commitment that underlie marriage by allowing all loving, committed couples to marry.
The launch event will feature speeches by the twins featured in the TVC, as well as Mr Sheikh and Mr Greenwich. The organisations will have volunteers in attendance handing out hundreds of slices of a giant wedding cake.
When: Monday, February 14, 2010 – 8:30am
Where: Martin Place, Sydney
Who: Simon Sheikh (National Director, GetUp); Alex Greenwich (National Convenor, Australian Marriage Equality); Paul and David Battye (featured in the advertisement); GetUp and AME members.
What: Screening of the TVC; speeches from representatives; GetUp and AME members handing out slices of giant wedding cake.
For further information or to arrange comment, please contact:
Paul Mackay – GetUp – 0415 182 402 | paul@getup.org.au
Alex Greenwich – AME – 0421 316 335 | alex@australianmarriageequality.org