Australian actor, Harry Cook, has sent a poignant message to his local MP and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Bronwyn Bishop.
Cook, who is gay and works in Los Angeles, sent Mrs Bishop a message through Australian Marriage Equality’s new #EqualityCalling hotline.
In it he says,
“This isn’t something that I acquired from school or from home. This is just who I am. I don’t feel like a second-class citizen [in California]. Australia looks archaic, like it belongs in the stone age.”
Harry Cook’s message is one of over 800 that have been left on #EqualityCalling and then automatically called through to the offices of federal MPs and Senators.
Other celebrities who have left messages include pop sensation, Ray Isaac, and Aria award nominee, Abbe May, who lives in the electorate of Deputy Liberal leader, Julie Bishop.
Australian Marriage Equality national direcor, Rodney Croome, urged other marriage equality supporters to follow Harry Cook’s lead and leave a message for their local politicians.
“One of the best ways to help Australia catch up to countries like the US, the UK and New Zealand is for marriage equality supporters to contact their local MP, and one of the easiest ways to do this is through #EqualityCalling.”
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, a spokesperson for Mrs Bishop said the Speaker hasn’t listened to the message and continues to oppose marriage equality.
In response, Mr Cook said he would welcome an opportunity to talk to Mrs Bishop about the issue.
#EqualityCalling is a partnership between Australian Marriage Equality and Ben and Jerry’s.
The #EqualityCalling number is 1300 663 679. For more information on #EqualityCalling go to www.equalitycalling.org
Sound files of the Cook, Issac and May messages are included below.
Three photos of Harry Cook in Los Angeles are attached.
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
Harry Cook: https://soundcloud.com/equalitycalling/mackellar-nsw-2015-02-17-16-39-53
Abbe May: https://soundcloud.com/equalitycalling/curtin-wa-2015-02-25-13-59-06
Ray Issac: https://soundcloud.com/equalitycalling/nsw-2015-02-27-13-47-02
Author: Rodney Croome
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 8 March 2015