Wallabies, mayors and you: what we can do to win

In recent days both the best and worst of Australia’s approach to sexual diversity have been on full display.

Last week, federal MP Bob Katter launched a startling television advertisement attacking Queensland’s LNP leader Campbell Newman for his support of marriage equality.

At the same time, unsuccessful Christian Democrats candidate Peter Madden announced intentions to travel around New South Wales with a large truck emblazoned with banners proclaiming the “dark side of same-sex marriage”.

Both have been met with a tidal wave of opposition. For Katter, that opposition begins close to home, with his own half-brother Carl launching a rival advertisement in conjunction with activist movement GetUp!.

Criticism came also from the Queensland Council of Unions, James Packer, members of his party and even right-wing columnist Andrew Bolt.

Madden, on the other hand, can have no doubt about the unpopularity of his views after events in Lismore over the weekend. Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowell contacted Madden personally to tell him that his views were not welcome in Lismore, following a vocal protest by locals.

Beyond reacting to our opponents, we need positive reinforcement of the value marriage equality will bring to our community and society at large. At the end of the day, this campaign will be won through expressions of love and not reactions to hate.

We need more allies like Wallabies flanker David Pocock, who is refusing to marry his partner until same-sex couples are given the same treatment.

We also need your help. There are currently two marriage equality inquiries taking place in federal Parliament — one in the House of Representatives and one in the Senate. There is also a motion before the NSW Legislative Council calling on the Commonwealth Parliament to legislate for marriage equality.

The interim results of the House of Representative inquiry are alarming. So far, only 35 percent of respondents are in favour of marriage equality. This is despite recent polling suggesting that approximately 60 percent of Australians are in favour of marriage equality.

Clearly marriage equality opponents are mounting a well-organised campaign to thwart the reform.

While ultimately issues of human rights should be determined by what is moral and not what is popular, there is no doubt that many MPs will be looking closely at the numbers.

We need each one of you — and your brothers, sisters, parents and friends — to show your support. It takes just 30 seconds to do it.

Go to http://glrl.org.au/marriage-inquiries and help make marriage equality a reality for all Australians.

By JUSTIN KOONIN, NSW GLRL