Majority
support for equal marriage amongst
ordinary Australians has drawn attention
from around the world.
Australian Marriage Equality (AME)
national convener, Sharon Dane,
said a Galaxy poll released on 22
June showing 57% for full
equality has sparked international
interest from individuals and
organisations alike.
"AME
has received congratulatory emails from
people whose faith in the
fair-mindedness of ordinary Australians
has been affirmed by this poll", Ms Dane
said.
"International advocates have been quick
to remind us that where the people lead,
politicians always eventually follow."
New
York-based, Freedom to Marry, has hailed
the swing in Australian public opinion.
According to Director, Evan Wolfson,
"Like
many people around the world, in places
as diverse as Canada and Colombia,
Western Europe and South Africa, and
even states in the USA, fair-minded
Australians are taking a fresh look at
how the exclusion of same-sex couples
from marriage hurts families and helps
no one. The politicians are lagging
behind the people in the
recognition that fundamental freedom,
and basic fairness, are undermined when
couples who have made a commitment in
life are denied the equal commitment
under the law. That commitment is called
marriage."
Meanwhile, Sue Wilkinson and Celia
Kitzinger, the married, same-sex couple
at the centre of a landmark UK High
Court battle for equal marriage, have
congratulated Australia's equal marriage
advocates on their role in creating
change.
"It is
distressing and hurtful when governments
and courts refuse to grant full legal
equality in marriage to same-sex
couples, as we have discovered in our
own struggle in the UK. But we take
heart that, as public opinion swings to
equality, so will public officials.
Congratulations to Australia's equal
marriage advocates for convincing the
majority of their fellow Australians to
support an end to marriage
discrimination. We will continue to work
together for equality and justice across
the world."
