Community groups from across the country will coordinate efforts to send the largest ever number of Australians who support marriage equality to Canberra to meet with Federal MPs. The day of lobbying is expected to be one of the biggest coordinated single day meeting programs to hit Australian Parliament House. The exact date of the event will be announced shortly.
Throughout the day the people from across the country will meet with the federal MPs and Senators, and will share with them why marriage equality is so important to them and a clear majority of Australians.
“Lobbying scholarships” will be available to help ensure that some people don’t miss out because of the cost involved in getting to Canberra.
Kitty Hawkins from Gay and Lesbian Equality WA is encouraging West Australians to participate in the day and share their stories, “Gay and Lesbian Equality WA encourages anyone that believes that all Australians should have the equal right to marry to contact their representatives in Parliament. This campaign will provide opportunities for a number of extraordinary individuals that submit their stories to travel to Canberra to tell their MP’s in person why Marriage Equality Matters.”
Phil Brown, from Queensland, is one of the key coordinators and stresses the important role personal stories have in making a difference: “Community support for marriage equality is growing as a result of everyday Aussies from all walks of life putting their stories forward, and telling their MP’s that 2nd rate treatment is no longer acceptable, we can achieve equality for all.”
Corey Irlam from the Australian Coalition for Equality said this was an important exercise in reminding MP’s why marriage equality matters and that civil unions are unacceptable.
“From Brisbane to Broome, Dennison to Darwin, we need to demonstrate to our elected officials why marriage equality matters to all Australians. That’s why it’s so important that we get stories from people in all cities, all ages and all backgrounds – gay or straight.”
“We are hoping that stories won’t just come from same-sex couples. We also need to hear from our straight family members and friends as well, so we can remind MPs that marriage equality is an issue that affects all Australians.”
Those participating in this exercise will be drawn from the stories submitted via the mymarriagestory.com.au website. Supporters have until the 1st of September to submit their story.
Alex Greenwich, National Convener of Australian Marriage Equality, expects this day will play a historic role towards achieving marriage equality “we will have won a significant victory, if this day can help show our politicians that marriage equality is about people and not politics”.
For further information contact:
Alex Greenwich on 0421 316 335
Corey Irlam on 0401 738 996
Kitty Hawkins on 0414 846 153
Phil Brown on 0428 140 359
For samples of stories submitted so far please see
– Aaron Minto http://mymarriagestory.com.au/aaron-minto/
– Marguerite Louis http://mymarriagestory.com.au/marguerite-louis/