"Does gender decide our Australian identity?"

Dear Gai,

You have been a help to me with my friend in prison. Thank you for this.

I write this letter because I feel, as a gay man, that marriage equality is important. My brother was able to marry the woman he loved, but I have not been able to do the same with the man I love here. This makes me feel that I am less an Australian than he is. Does gender decide our Australian identity? Does it confer special legal benefits?

I hope that if the issue comes before you, you will help those of us who want equality and breadth of human life.

Many thanks,


James Loftus

Walk the walk of democracy, please.

Dear Dr. Leigh,

I am a straight male living in the ACT with a bisexual partner. Coming to terms with her sexuality was a source of a lot of pain and confusion for her, especially in her earlier years, and knowing about these experiences through her and others is the thing that informs my feelings most on the issue of equal marriage.

Whilst I have my own struggles, the sort of persistent injustices perpetuated by homophobia and intolerance are of a different order entirely, and the fact that these phenomena are complemented by legal discrimination in the Marriage Act is one of just a handful of areas in which I feel my country is facing utterly and completely backwards on such a relatively morally straightforward issue.

Historically the Labor Party has claimed to be a party of substantive progress towards social and legal equality. All eyes, mine included, are waiting to see if the party, from the branches up to the parliamentary party, has the mettle to be able to live up to these claims. I know from following your academic and blogging exploits that you are more than equipped to be able to cast a incisive and critical eye on your party's current policy on the Marriage Act. Please take the time to weigh up your priorites on this and other issues -the ones which are *begging* for some kind of respite from the malaise of confected bipartisanship which currently dominates the country's political agenda. You and your colleagues have the ability to make a difference by being honest about your own beliefs, and by paying due deference to the will of the public (I'm certain you know that more Australians are in favour of marriage equality than not) rather than an unhealthy deference to the policy status quo.

Please see this (and other issues) as more than a opportunity for realpolitic, and please have the strength of character to show us that we live in a democracy, or at the very least that there are still those in the Labor party who value democracy still.

Thanks for taking the time.

Your truly,

Colin Aslin

How then can you allow such discrimination to also extend to gay and lesbian couples ?

Dear Gai,

Marriage rights for homosexual couples is an issue that concerns everyone not just the gay and lesbian community. Because, rights for gay and lesbian couples are human rights. Hence, I am deeply concerned that my government could so blatantly undermine the rights of my fellow man.

We live in a country that calls itself ‘multicultural’, a term that stems from our belief that we are among some of the most tolerant people on earth. Whilst as Australians we have reached a point where we believe that it is wrong to discriminate against others based on their race, religion, ethnicity, gender and sexuality, it seems our laws do not reflect such values. Why should so many suffer under such a contradiction?

As a woman, and particularly in politics, I am sure you will understand equality is not something that has been wholly extended to our sex. I am sure that you personally understand the discrimination many women experience today by virtue of being born a woman. How then can you allow such discrimination to also extend to gay and lesbian couples who have no control over who they fall in love with, just as you have no control over your gender?

Therefore, I urge you and others to see this issue for what it really is, something that concerns the entire community, an issue concerned with the rights and freedoms of every single person. There is a very real danger in not speaking out against such injustice in the community. The following poem by Pastor Martin Niemöller is a painful reminder of this fact,

First they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out–because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the communists, and I did not speak out–because I was not a communist.

Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out–because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out–because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me–and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Gai Brodtmann, please speak out for the rights of the gay and lesbian community.

Regards,

Emma Lindfield

Love shouldn't be judged.

 Dear Gai,

 I've been putting of writing this letter for a few days now, and I wasn't
 sure why. It isn't that I lack passion on the gay marriage issue, I just
 couldn't seem to find my words. Today, it hit me. The reason I've been
 putting it off is that the right for everyone (regardless of gender or
 sexual orientation) to marry just seems so basic and natural to me I can't
 imagine why anyone would think otherwise.
 I know that's not a really good reason for asking you to vote yes to gay
 marriage, but it is the right thing to do.

 I don't think it's fair to imply that one group of people is inferior to
 another. I think that by having seperate names and kinds of ceremonies for
 people based on who someone wants to marry it cultivates an attitude of
difference. It says that a consenting, adult in a heterosexual relationship
 is different from one in a homosexual relationship. Love shouldn't be
judged, it should be able to be celebrated with marriage by consenting
 couples regardless of how they identify.

 Regards,

 Marion Kruger

So how about it?

This letter is amazing. 

Australia is, in general, pretty proud of its diversity

Dear Dr. Andrew Leigh,

I've never really been the type of person to write letters. I moved here from Melbourne from a blue ribbon Liberal seat with one of the few Liberal members who I felt had something valuable to say and practically no chance of ever being a swinging seat judging by the entirely Liberal history of the seat. Coming from an area where there's no chance of a political change, I'd never really gotten into politics. There wasn't much of a reason; I wasn't eighteen yet, my seat never had any chance of changing and my friends weren't that interested in it.

Coming to university though was one of those thoroughly eye-opening experiences. I've seen people from all ends of the political spectrum, political opinions I never even thought that people would hold and people whose political views I broadly agree with, but just find incredibly irritating. In the highly political environment that is university, it's pretty much mandatory to form at least some political views. These political views do come from somewhere and a significant portion of mine come from the fact I'm gay. Yes, it's another letter about gay marriage.

It's tiring to hear the feeble arguments against gay marriage trotted out by the government and far too many community groups. At the end of the day, people should be able to choose who they marry, whether it be a heterosexual couple or a homosexual couple. Although I don't want to get married at the moment, I certainly want to have the option of marriage and the legal recognition of my relationship. Love is love, no matter whether it be of a straight couple or a same-sex couple. 

Australia is, in general, pretty proud of its diversity. Sure there are instances of racism and homophobia and other forms of discrimination, but it's definitely better than many other places. It seems pretty clear to me that there's no real reason to forbid gay marriage. We pride ourselves on equality, a fair go, and gay marriage is one of the barriers to this egalitarian society we pride ourselves on.

Thank you for your time,

Stuart Ferrie

“We are here, we are together, and we are proud”.

Dear Dr Andrew Leigh,

I am writing to you in support of equal marriage for all, regardless of gender. As a bisexual woman I feel very strongly about this issue – marriage is the greatest declaration of love our society has, and one day I may want to make that declaration and find myself legally unable. Australia is supposed to be a land of acceptance and equality, but this is not reflected by our laws, and so it is not reflected in our society.

I was not out in high school. The only crushes I talked about were on boys, so people assumed they were the only ones I had. I was not scared of the reaction of bullies; as an intelligent girl who not only didn’t fit others standards, but had no desire to, I am used to bullies. It was the reaction of my friends that I was scared of.

There was one girl in my year that did come out as a lesbian, and it made her so happy to not need to hide. She had no fears about talking about relationship problems with her straight friends. I thought she was amazing. Her friends, however, did not seem as impressed as I was. Although they never said anything to her, I heard them talking about how she shouldn’t talk about being gay so much, because they knew that one day she’d want a boyfriend again. As they saw it, if she didn’t stop talking about her girlfriend, no boy would ever want her. Never mind that she had declared herself to have no interest in boys- this was less valid, less legitimate than the fact of her previous heterosexual experience. 

Reactions like this are why I stayed mostly in the closet until I got to university, where I am surrounded by supportive, like-minded people. This idea that her sexuality was not as valid as heterosexuality was and still is chilling. If I had come out as bisexual then, how would my friends have reacted? Would they have declared it something I’d get over, or insisted I had to choose? Bisexuality is discriminated against by both heterosexuals and homosexuals – by one for being queer, by the other for not being queer enough.

 I don’t believe that only some of my relationships should be considered valid. One day I might want to marry a man, and that would be lovely. But one day I might want to marry a woman, and because society and the laws that uphold it see this relationship as less legitimate, I would not be able to. When you get married, you are saying to the world “We are here, we are together, and we are proud”. It is tragic that so many happy, dedicated couples are unable to make this declaration. If our laws acknowledged these couples to be just as legitimate as their heterosexual counterparts, I think society would follow suit, over time. And then young people would not need to fear the scorn of their friends when they declared themselves different.

I implore you to support and advocate for equal marriage, so that Australia can work towards being the land of acceptance and equality we all dream of.

Regards,

Kira Scaife

Australian society must move beyond the archaic and discriminatory definition of marriage

Dear Andrew Leigh,

I am writing to you to express my support for equal marriage rights for all Australians, and to ask you, in your power as a parliamentarian, to do the same. 

To me, marriage represents a public and legal recognition of the love and commitment two people have for each other. One day, I can chose to get married to the person that I love, celebrate our love with family and friends and enter into society with all the legal rights and responsibilities afforded to us by the state.

It makes me deeply sad to think that this choice is not available to every Australian. In fact, in makes me angry, angry that the discriminatory and narrow-minded beliefs of a few have the power to impact so drastically upon so many.

Marriage as a social institution has changed and adapted over time to meet the needs of changing societies. It wasn’t too long ago that inter-racial and inter-faith marriages were illegal, or that a woman gave up the right to work when she married a man. Just as it progressed beyond these forms of discrimination, I believe that Australian society must move beyond the archaic and discriminatory definition of marriage as the union of a man and a woman only. 

Exclusive marriage laws are far from the only forms of discrimination that LGBTI people must suffer, but they are one of the few that can be easily, quickly and cheaply remedied. Granting equal marriage rights is a simple step towards eliminating the discrimination that unfortunately persists in our society.

You have been given the power to address this discrimination. I urge you to use it, to provide your full support towards equal marriage rights, to an end to discrimination and to a celebration of love in all its varied forms. 

Yours sincerely,

Jessica Clark

Its not a matter for a conscience vote.

Dear Gai,

It’s time for marriage equality and it's time for the Australian Labor Party to be the party that introduces this important reform.

There is no sound reason not to extend marriage to same sex couples.

Long ago marriage ceased to be the sole domain of religion and since the state is now an essential part of marriage, the state is obliged to ensure that it treats its citizens equally in the application of the Marriage Act.

This is not an issue of conscience; it is an issue of an equal application of the law.

The argument that ‘marriage has always been between a man and a woman’ is insufficient reason for preventing this reform – marriage has evolved constantly over the years, particularly as regards the rights of women. It is ridiculous to suggest that it cannot continue to evolve to reflect the values of modern Australia.

We hope to see you advocating strongly for marriage equality, both within the ALP caucus, and in Parliament. We also hope to see you advocate for this as a policy of the ALP and not a matter for a conscience vote.

We are happy to discuss this with you any time.

Kind regards,

Amy Haddad and Josh Milthorpe

It’s going to happen – it’s an absolute inevitability.

Dear Dr Andrew Leigh MP,

I’m writing to you to express my support for marriage equality, and to urge you to do whatever you can in your power to ensure that this issue is legislated on, and in doing so halt what is the most heinous form of discrimination currently under the law in this country.

What always strikes me as somewhat bizarre when the issue of marriage equality is debated on in the media or parliament is that the simple fact of the matter is - it’s coming. It’s coming. This intense desire for the homophobes in our society and their corresponding parliamentary representatives to prevent marriage equality is quite frankly absolutely futile. All they are simply doing is stalling the inevitable. 

I understand politics, I understand democracies and its representative nature and I understand re-election. Yet, what I don’t understand is how when faced with the opportunity to remove blatant discrimination, to create positive social change, and do something that is life-changing and life-saving for so many of their constituents, our politicians don’t jump up with enthusiasm to use their exceptional power and be a part of something historic? It’s going to happen – it’s an absolute inevitability. Therefore, you would think that our current politicians would like to be the ones who receive the credit and go down in history – not the next lot. However, given the rate at which we’re going at, it seems more likely that it will be the next lot. 

I have countless stories that I could tell you of the horrors and injustices that my homosexual friends have been through, but I wouldn’t know where to start and who to choose. That in itself breaks my heart. Marriage equality won’t remove the homophobia that exists in this country, but it’s the obvious first step forward. I am going to do everything in my power to ensure that my friends and the loved ones of millions in this country can move forward and have their love and commitment for their partners recognised under the State. I hope and urge that you – someone with much more power than me - will do just the same.

Regards,

Raveena Toor

It is a step towards a freedom to love without feeling fear.

Dear Dr. Andrew Leigh MP,

I’m not a closet supporter

As a young Labor Party member I am writing to you to express my displeasure with the directions of the Federal Labor Party is taking with regards to equality in marriage.  I believe there is a very strong sentiment in our local Canberra community that it is time to change the Labor Party’s stance on this issue, yet our government persists in letting this community down by not supporting same sex marriage.  I appeal to you as an educated man in power to continue to standup for your community and what they want.  

I am more than disappointed with our leaders response to gay marriage, that of marriage conventionally and exclusively being between a man and a woman.  To suggest marriage is traditionally a heterosexual institution is morally flawed.  Was slavery not also a traditional convention based on customs that went back to the foundation of ‘civil society’?  Many of the evils of this practice have been grasped and for the most part (or at least legally) it has been abolished.  As a Western, progressive society we must recognise this axiom; there is no moral ground on which we may support the tradition of marriage as being one of a strictly heterosexual union.  

As I was growing up I never once thought that I would have more opportunities than a good friend of mine.  Everything our parents have done for us, every opportunity they have given us, every bit of encouragement they have ever given us has been given with equal vigor.  Our parents, teachers and friends treat us equally in every manner.  Our government does not.  My friend is gay and I am straight.  The idea that I may marry the man I love and he may not is simple and plain discrimination.  

As the federal member for Fraser, standing for a party that has since the Second World War and John Curtin, claimed to embody the ideals of ‘a fair go for all’, ask you to really stand for these principles and vote for marriage equality.  I am not asking for anything more than equal treatment for all Australians under Australian Law.  Legalizing gay marriage to you may only be a vote on your conscious but to me, to many of my friends and to the next generation of Australians it is a step towards a freedom to love without feeling fear, restraint, or obligation.  I ask you, not only as a Party member and one who is likely to work with you in the future, but on moral grounds, to hear my voice when considering your vote.  

Yours sincerely, 

Alice Wade. 

I believe that love is love is love.

Dear Andrew Leigh,

I have been trying to write this letter for a little while now. I am not sure why it took me so long. When I whittle away my meaningless excuses, of too little time, with too much to say, and get to the core of it, I think I realise.

Apathy – I am ashamed to say may have been a cause. Not because I don’t vehemently believe in what I have to say. But because I believe politicians don’t seem to hear anymore.

I know who it is easiest to listen to. Those who tell you that change is not necessary, possible or welcome. Those who think that all is equal, except those who are not like them. Those who believe that love can only be true if it is between a man and a woman. 

Today I watched a Facebook page grow from 1,000 people to well over 70,000. All of these people were campaigning against the homophobic complaints against a safe sex advertisement in Brisbane. 

I realized I can no longer indulge my apathy. I also realized that my voice is not alone, and I had a responsibility to make my voice heard.

So I am asking you to read these letters, and ask yourself what response, what reason can someone possibly offer against equality?

I believe in the intrinsic right of equality.

I believe that love is love is love. 

I believe that these voices are only going to grow louder.

I believe that change will come, and that you can help make it happen.

Yours, in affirmation,

Susannah Metherell. 

As an adult, this is what I dream about.

Dear Gai,

As a little girl I always dreamt of getting married. My dad walking me down the aisle, my dress with a two metre long train, flowers everywhere and the biggest cake anyone had ever seen. I would debate whether to have a winter wedding (faux fur capelet) versus a spring wedding (better flowers). In my imagination there were no obstacles, no budgets, no expectations. I never gave too much thought to who I would marry, I just always assumed I'd fall in love and we'd live happily ever after. 

That’s all changed now. I am a lesbian. It saddens me to think I may never have an opportunity to plan my own wedding. I may never get to have my dad walk me down the aisle. I may never get to try on wedding dress after wedding dress, looking for the perfect train. I may never get to meet with the florist and choose my favourite bouquet. I may never get to go cake tasting, and choose the most over the top cake possible. 

I may never get to seriously consider creating my winter wonderland wedding, or my spring fling wedding. I may never have to face the obstacle of culling a guest list, cutting out ice sculptures because of our budget, never argue with my mum because she expected fruit cake. 

I have always imagined myself as a bride. I’ve always imagined boring my children with photos of their parent’s wedding. I’ve always imagined going through the traditional anniversary gifts; paper, lace, crystals, diamonds. I’ve always imagined my children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, extended family and friends coming over to celebrate our Golden wedding anniversary. 

How can it be, in Australia, in 2011, this is not a possibility? How can it be that in a country that prides itself on its accepting nature, progressiveness, and forward thinking we are so behind in a basic human right? 1st of July 2009 saw a lot of progress made in Australian Legislation regarding same sex relationships. 84 changes were made, including areas such a social benefits, immigration, superannuation, tax. So, why wasn’t the Marriage Act 1961 changed? I mean, it can’t be as a way of preserving the sanctity of marriage, as hetero couples have married at McDonalds. It can’t be as a way of preserving family values, as many homosexual couples raise children. It can’t be because of the Church’s opposition as civil marriage is distinctly distinguished from religious marriage. 

I am asking that you take a stand, and support me in my fight for the right to stand in front of my family and friends, and declare my love for the woman across from me, the person to whom I pledge to spend my life with. As an adult, this is what I dream about. 

 

Sophie Bazzana.

Most of the arguments against marriage equality boil down to fear.

Dear Dr Leigh,

I’m writing to support and encourage you to continue your advocacy for marriage equality, and to ask that you work to legislate on this issue, just as soon as you’ve got us a carbon tax.    

I lived in Berkeley, California, for a year while on exchange from the ANU.  I ended up living in a housing co-operative with around 40 LGBTQI people, many of whom were activists instrumental in the organised opposition the infamous Proposition 8, a referendum that ended same-sex marriage in California.  The campaign for Prop 8 was funded largely by church groups, running lines about how unnatural it was for same-sex couples to marry.  It was a really horrible time for a lot of people- particularly how the whole thing energised so much hate against LGBTQI people who were asking for something pretty conservative- the ability to marry.  

It struck me, at the rallies and protests I attended that year with my friends, that we are fortunate in Australia to not have anywhere near the same kind of divisive identity politics.  Equal marriage shouldn’t even be an issue in Australia, where our diversity is meant to be a positive and productive force.  I’m kind of surprised that it hasn’t happened already, that politicians haven’t seen the overwhelming public support  (62% in 2010!) and just gotten it done.  I think many people just assume it will get done, and so don’t speak up as much as they should.  That clears the way for politicians to get lobbied by a lot of hysterical people who believe gay-ness is some kind of debauched lifestyle choice.  

To me, most of the arguments against marriage equality boil down to fear.  That women marrying women and men marrying men will damage hetero relationships. That children will think it’s ok and turn gay themselves.  The logic behind this is sickening to me, twisted as it is by fear and insecurity.  And when you think about it, it’s insulting to anyone who has really loved another person. We don’t fall in love with and marry and raise children with a gender.  

 All around Australia, people still use “gay”, “fag”, “lezzo”, “dyke” and more as insults, designed to undermine people’s perceived worth.  I went to a Catholic high school of around 800 people where I only knew of two out people.  A few weeks ago a friend called to tell me he was bi, but he still wasn’t sure how to tell his parents.  Homophobia is alive and well in this country, as I’m sure politicians know better than almost anyone.  But unlike many of us, you can do something about it.  Formal legal recognition of same-sex marriage is a way of the Government saying: get past it.  

This country has bigger things to worry about than policing the ways in which consenting adults express their commitment in long-term relationships.  Can we please just get it done?

Sincerely,

Leah Ginnivan.  

It’s for their Juju’s and it’s for their love.

To Andrew Leigh, Gay marriage; controversial? No. But I have to sit here and write you a letter because if not it will not happen here in Australia. It’s not just because the Australia of today has progressed to a point where this concept of two people that are in love regardless of gender should be given the option of marriage. Further that nearly two thirds of Australians under 25 agree with gay marriage. It’s also not just to give all Australians an equal opportunity to express their love in a way that they feel fit. While a gay couple can live with one another in love, they can’t get married. This is far from equal to their heterosexual counter parts. But you should know this already and while the Australian Christian Lobby will write to you talking about children and how they will be perverted, how the community will become lewd and how we, as Australians, don’t need it, it seems to me that they are wrong on all levels. Isn't that stance ignoring the Christian principle of love and inclusion? So I am going to tell you about my Grandma Juju and what it would mean for her and me. There is no-one I respect more than Juju. She is a strong woman, wise and someone who got to spend her life with the man she loved: my Grandad Ted. She has never hated anyone and loved all her Grandchildren equally. In doing this she wants us to find the one that we love, our Ted. She met him at a ball in the ‘50s. It was instant love. They went to England in the ‘60s when Menzies was re-elected and they stood with Gough. But, what they had was a devotion to love one another until death. They were true life partners. He passed away in 1990 and all I know of him is pictures, letters and stories that she tells. Juju never remarried; she told me that there was no-one that could love her like Ted did. This idea was passed down through my family. She talks to us about sharing the end of her life as we start ours. Our lives as grandchildren of Juju are to ensure that we can at least have a tenth of the love and devotion she had for Ted. Juju tells me over and over again about their wedding. They demonstrated their love with a wedding. Marriage to my family stipulates the biggest commitment for a couple to one another. It is a celebration of love that is shared with family and friends. It is that fundamental facet of marriage that I want to share with her. I want to have the stories that she has, I want to make her proud that everyone in her family will have the same opportunities as she had. In my family there are two gays already. My cousin and her partner are having a commitment ceremony in Bali at the end of year. They are doing this because they feel that Australia will not have gay marriage anytime soon. Their love can’t wait for the Australian parliament while they refuse to take action because a few people want to restrict the rights of all Australians. But this commitment is not equality. It is a compromise. While we will all attend, we will cry and we will laugh, we will also know that this is the best that they have. There is no reason that they, I and other gay couples across Australia should be able to marry. We deserve better. You can change this Andrew. You can lobby your caucus on behalf of Australians that want an equal opportunity to express their love. Because I can tell you that it’s not just for them; it’s for their Juju’s and it’s for their love. Regards, Ben Koval

I ask that you take a stand on behalf of all Australians

Dear Andrew Leigh

I am writing this letter to pledge my support for marriage equality in Australia. I believe that all Australians have a right to marriage regardless of their sexuality. As somebody who has the ability to speak to a room full of Australia's key decision makers, I ask that you help make my view heard. 

All my life I have dreamt of the day when I would walk down the aisle and marry the one person I was meant to be with. Regardless of whether that person is a man or a woman, I should have the right to marry them if that is what I want. I believe that marriage is a fundamental human right, and all Australians should legally be allowed to marry who they choose. 

Marriage is a sexually exclusive and equitable love relationship entered into voluntarily by two adults, solemnized by vows and recognized by themselves and others as the highest romantic achievement possible between two people. In my view, marriage does not need to be religious, but for all Australians to be treated equitably, all marriages should be recognised by law. 

Traditional wedding vows are to love, comfort, honour, keep in sickness and in health, and forsake all others, keeping only each other as long as you both shall live. These vows remain the same regardless of sex and sexuality. The intent behind these words is exactly the same between a man a woman, a man and a man, and a woman and a woman.

In support of some of my closest friends, my amazing family members, and some of the strongest and most amazing people I have ever met, I ask that you take a stand on behalf of all Australians, and ask the Australian Government to support marriage equality for one and all.

Tara Nichols

Be on the side of history.

Dear Dr Andrew Leigh MP, 


I write to you to urge you to support marriage equality, and fight for the government to send a signal to Australia about what is right, what is fair and what is just. 

I have no doubt that you believe in the rights of all Australians, regardless of sexuality. I urge you to show this more publicly, to follow through in fight for equality and implement what you believe in. Every day the government allows the deplorable discrimination in the Marriage Act to remain, you are necessarily promoting social and cultural stigmatisation.

All major reforms encounter opposition, but it’s how you respond to that opposition is the measure of your leadership. I implore you to pursue marriage equality publicly and passionately, no matter the opposition. Waiting for the indeterminate goal of “community consensus” doesn’t help right a wrong. Be on the side of history, and come down for what you believe in.


You’ve been given great power by your constituents, please use it. 

Kind regards, 


Alice Crawford

I like ice cream, I also like driving and West Wyalong

Dear Andrew Leigh,

I am getting married next year, so it's a good thing I'm not gay. If I were, I would have to change my plans entirely - I would have to go out for ice cream instead, or rent a car and drive to West Wyalong, because I would not legally be able to get married.

Now, I like ice cream, Dr Leigh -- I also like driving and West Wyalong, but the fact is I am pretty set on getting married, and luckily, I can choose to do that. My homosexual friends are not so lucky. They are stuck with ice cream and West Wyalong.

You will forgive me for not being entirely serious about what is a very serious issue. The fact is, I am not putting to you a serious argument because as a liberal and an economist I am fairly sure you privately support

gay marriage anyway. It is not an argument I need to win. Rather, I want to ask you to make it your business to put it (or perhaps continue to put it) to your colleagues in the Federal Parliamentary Labour Party (and particularly the homosexuals amongst them) to change government policy to one of supporting the legal and equal marriage rights of homosexual people. I ask you as your constituent.

By March next year, when I am to marry, I want to do so with a clear conscience - that what I am doing is not engaging in a ritual of privilege, but a universally recognisable and available act of love. I want to look my homosexual friends in the eye and know that they too have the right to marry the person they love, just as I have.

I hope I can count on you to be a fierce advocate of marriage rights for all.

Very sincerely,

Aaron Kirby

The definition of marriage in the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth) is divisive and discriminatory

Dear Dr Leigh,

I am a twenty-two year old female student and I am enrolled to vote in your electorate.  As my elected representative, I am writing to ask you to advocate on my behalf for an amendment to the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth), to enable people in same-sex relationships to marry.

The definition of marriage inserted into the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth) in 2004 is divisive and discriminatory.  By defining marriage as that between a man and woman, the Act bestows, exclusively, a statutory right to marry on those who are in a heterosexual relationship.

In 2011, I find it incredulous that any Australian could be denied a public service, entitlement or right on the basis of any physical, behavioural or biological characteristic that they may possess.  This is the effect of s5(1) of the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth).  As a same-sex attracted person, I am denied the right to marry the person of my choice.

Ultimately, the issue of same-sex marriage is one of equality.  My heterosexual friends can marry, while I, as a member of the GLBTIQ community, cannot.  It would not be considered acceptable if the government prevented two people from marrying on the basis of their respective races, and it is not acceptable that two people are prevented from marrying each other on the basis of their gender.

In the past, I have lobbied politicians to recognize and uphold the rights of others.  I am now requesting that you do the same for me. 

Yours sincerely,

Laura Sweeney

My dad is a stubborn man.

Dear Gai Brodtmann,

My dad is a stubborn man. He often drives me insane around the house with silly habits he can’t throw because he is so set in his ways. Growing up through school he was the only kid in his class not to get a pen licence. Because of this he only knows how to write block capitals and unfortunately this means caps lock is always on. He doesn’t understand technology, he doesn’t understand fashion and he doesn’t understand some things now that have changed a lot since when he was young.

In the last few years a couple of our family members and close friends have come out about being gay. At first I know he found this difficult to face. Growing up, he was told it was not something to share let alone be proud of, and here was one of our close friends asking a homophobic man for acceptance. But watching him over the last few years, I could not be prouder of him. Not only now is he comfortable talking about the subject but he speaks about our loved ones with pride and true happiness that now after coming out, they are leading fearless lives, happy and comfortable in their skin.

I consider myself extremely lucky to have been brought up in a family of loving values, to treat everyone equally regardless of gender, race and sexuality. I support Gay Marriage 100% and I think that if my father, someone so set in their ways is able to form new ideas and new attitudes towards homosexuality, everyone can.

With your vote for equal marriage rights, my dad will be in the front row of three beautiful weddings, blinking the happy tears from his eyes.

With this vote we will be one step closer to a more tolerant Australia.

- Anon. 

Dear Andrew Leigh,

I write this letter with hopes that it will assist in persuading you to support marriage equality. It has no doubt come to your attention that the current legal situation in Australia in regards to same sex marriage is considered unacceptable by a huge proportion of the population. Marriage equality is something that can and should be changed, and yet the government consistently lets down Australian citizens by not supporting their right to this equality.

What sort of message is this sending? We are told discrimination is wrong, but even in such a progressive country as Australia, legislation exists that discriminates against people based solely on their sexual orientation! All people deserve equal rights, as Australians agreed when they chose to support the legal equalisation of women and Aboriginals. Not allowing rights to people because of their sexual orientation is so very similar to not allowing rights to people because of their race or gender.

There are no relevant arguments against legalising gay marriage. Arguments that same sex marriage will demean the institution of marriage are simple prejudice. Marriage has a wide range of meanings, none of which specifically include the role of procreating or raising children – also popular arguments against same sex marriage by bigoted individuals. Many married couples decide not to procreate or raise children, and many same sex couples have raised children with no ill effects caused by their parents’ sexuality. Marriage is not a religious ceremony, and civil marriage is distinctly distinguished from religious marriage, negating any stance religious institutions can rationally take against it.

You seem to be under the impression that a majority of voters in your electorate do not want marriage equality. While I’m very much in doubt as to whether this is true, it is seemingly a valid point. It is a politician’s job to make sure they are representing the views of their voters, isn’t it? You may then think that it’s rude of me to throw around words like ‘prejudice’ and ‘bigotry’ when referring to these people, but I believe that they should not have the right to choose whether or not I can marry another woman because they don’t think it’s ‘normal’. I don’t think I have ever heard of anyone telling a heterosexual person that their relationship is ‘wrong’, and I wish that all people had that same courtesy. Homosexuality is normal, and it is your responsibility to make sure that my rights, and the rights of everyone else in your electorate and in Australia, are not impinged upon by those with no grounds on which to make that decision.

The laws and ideas of what marriage is can change and have changed substantially, both historically and currently, in countries all over the world. It is time for change here and now. Marriage equality is just one more step towards a non-prejudiced society. Australians want this equality. We want same sex marriage legalised. But we need the support of the government to make it happen.

Sincerely,

Laura Brazier

We have seen more than 100 pieces of legislation changed to remove discrimination of GLBTI people.

Dear Dr Andrew Leigh MP,

I am writing to you as my Federal Member for Fraser to ask you to continue to take your positive and public stand in the ALP on Marriage Equality.

When I came out to my friends and family, surprising I was laughed at by my best friend. He laughed, “I was wondering when you would finally summon up the courage to come out”. 

The ALP is now being laughed at by the Australian and international community. For Joe de Bruyn to hysterically allege that same sex marriages will trigger a social collapse is absurd. We need politicians like you to continue to publicly state your support for this important issue.

I am proud of the achievements the GLBTI community has been able to make towards a fairer society with the support of the ALP. We have seen more than 100 pieces of legislation changed to remove discrimination of GLBTI people. 

I am disappointed there is still discrimination in Australia where marriage is still defined as the “union between a man and a woman, to the exclusion of all others”. I am equally disappointed same sex marriages entered into overseas in countries which recognise the rights of GLBTI communities to marry, are not recognised in Australia. 

Just as my best friend laughed at me, people will continue to laugh at the ALP until we can summon up the courage to stand for marriage equality. 

Yours sincerely

Andrew