Marriage Equality finally arrives in Australia with passing of the Act in parliament on December 7, 2017 and having been officially legal on December 9, 2017. This is yet another step towards creating an equal, embracing culture that quashes discrimination and promotes kindness, love and fairness.
Australia has caught up to the United States and numerous other countries including nations such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand and the UK to legally recognise the marital bond between two individuals regardless of sexual orientation. The list now sits at twenty-six countries across the globe. Make of this what you will, but huge swathes of Africa (excluding South Africa), Eastern Europe, Russia and Asia so far do not legally recognise equality between same-sex and heterosexual couples. Give them time, I say. We can’t all be pioneers.
Last Saturday, which just so happened to be the day after my birthday, Hayley and I witnessed something quite monumental. Two of our friends married the same day the Marriage Act 1961 was amended. According to the celebrant, that morning, Saturday the 9th of December 2017, the law (Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017) came into effect and those crucial words that were said for so long changed to;
“.. marriage is understood as the union of 2 people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.”
The ceremony between Glen and Rhiannon was held in Austinmer NSW, Australia.
Single white dahlias adorned each of the four long tables at the reception. I'm a huge fan of dahlias, having some experience growing them myself.
Despite being pro same-sex marriage, and ticking the ‘yes’ box on the $120M survey form that came in the mail with a giddy sense of justice, I didn’t realise the amendment was going to occur on the day of the wedding of our friends, Rhiannon and Glen. The celebrant was a spritely young woman, who was clearly also excited about this important legal change that would mean so much to anyone who demands equal rights.
Ordinarily, I am not too fussed on the prospect of weddings and marriage. And the whole notion of spending upwards of $30,000 (el cheapo) on a single day of my life is ludicrous. It is lovely that two people share enough in common that they want to share their life’s commitment to one another with friends and family present. But at that cost? It’s enough to stop a heart. While I’m generally cynical about the price and often show-ponying, especially among particular ethnicities and the vain and shallow among us all, it gives me nothing but a sense of joy that similarly like-minded same-sex couples can now partake in the festivities and the legal standing that accompanies it.
After Notes
During the very public debate about whether same-sex marriage should be legalised, one thing became very apparent (which I was not fully aware of). In Australia, being an unmarried de facto does NOT give you the same legal standing as a married couple. So, even if you think the whole thing is a needless waste of money, it may be worth considering it if you want to avoid the heartache of having to prove your relationship to a government body, particularly if something happens to you or your partner.
All the best,
Nick.
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References
Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017