Same-sex marriage advocates hope the Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, will change his stance now that his sister Christine has come out as a lesbian and equal rights campaigner. Christine Forster, one of three Abbott sisters, posed for photographs with her partner Virginia Edwards at a ”Lesbians in the (Opera) House” event in support of same-sex marriage. In an online photo gallery, Ms Forster holds an orange sign with ”I love her!! Marry Me??” pointing towards Ms Edwards, who holds a sign: ”And I love her – live with it!”
Both had been married. Ms Forster has four children.
Mr Abbott’s office said he declined to comment yesterday, but he told The Weekend Australian that he had kept his sister’s confidence for four years. And Ms Forster said: ”My brother and I have always had a strong relationship and he respects and supports me and my lifestyle choices.”
The national convenor of Australian Marriage Equality, Alex Greenwich, said advocacy from loved ones was the most effective way of changing hearts and minds.
”It is clear Ms Forster supports same-sex marriage,” he said.