All posts tagged: love is love

The Australian Marriage Equality Postal Survey: How You Can Get Involved in Changing History

Published by thequeerav

Let’s face it, the marriage equality postal survey sucks. We didn’t want it, much of the Australian public didn’t want it – but we’re stuck with it. Now that the High Court has dashed any hope of getting rid of the postal survey, it’s time to unite to make sure we win a YES for marriage equality. Unlike a regular election, it isn’t compulsory and we know from past statistics on postal surveys that young people aged 18-24 are the least likely to respond to them. It’s up to everyone who is voting yes to make sure we can encourage as many people as possible to vote in favour of marriage equality, even in the face of adversity and lies from much of the ‘no’ side. Here are some tips on how to win the marriage equality postal survey: One-to-One conversations Social media is incredibly important, but the truth is one-to-one conversations with as many people as possible will be key in determining who will win this survey. This means volunteering and making calls with …

The Importance of Self-Compassion Leading Up to the Australian Marriage Equality Postal Vote

Published by thequeerav

News around the upcoming postal vote on marriage equality in Australia has been very topical on TV, social media and in conversations with family and friends alike. The non-binding vote, which will be mailed out on September 12, will show the Australian government whether Australian people agree with LGBTIQ+ people having the right to marry in Australia. When the general population are given the opportunity to express their opinion/s about someone else’s basic human rights, it can change the direction of the conversation immensely. Currently, despite the very positive voices of love and support across Australia, negative and harmful opinions have been amplified. This can, and is, taking a toll on the mental health and well-being of many LGBTIQ+ people in Australia. Everyone will react to the marriage equality debate differently. For some, it might take a while for things to set in, and time to process that this might actually be happening. In these times, when people may be making a lot of homophobic, biphobic, transphobic or intersex exclusionary comments, it’s important to know …

VIDEO: The Powerful New Ad Pushing for Marriage Equality in Australia

Published by thequeerav

Australian Marriage Equality has just released an ad as part of the Equality Campaign. The campaign aims to achieve marriage equality together as a nation, through a free vote in parliament, not a plebiscite. The ad, shows families, couples, friends, young and old, from all corners of the country coming together to paint a rainbow Australia on a blank wall, writing things like ‘for my mums’, ‘for fairness’, ‘for commitment’ and ‘for love’ in the process. “The Equality Campaign is about building on the momentum and energy generated across the nation for marriage equality and continuing to campaign for a straightforward change to be achieved by a vote in the parliament,” co-chair of Australians for Equality, Anna Brown told Huffington Post. “This campaign is about putting the human face of the issue back in the centre of the discussion. It is based on the importance of human stories and the message to LGBTI people, their families and friends that collectively we can be the agent of change.” Many have already tweeted their support for the …

VIDEO: Rallying for Marriage Equality in Australia Continues

Published by thequeerav

On Saturday October 15, Perth hosted one of the first marriage equality rallies in Australia since it was officially confirmed the Labor Party will block the plebiscite once it reaches the senate. Equal Love’s Sam Cavallaro, Greens member Lynn MacLaren, activist Caleb Holmes, activist Jacqueline Blackburn and Clare Francis from the National Union of Students all spoke at the rally, demanding the government hold a free vote in parliament. Despite the lack of support for a plebiscite from Labor and Greens politicians as well as the vast majority of the Australian population, various politicians are still determined for it to go ahead. Special Minister of State Scott Ryan has dismissed calls for a free vote in parliament while Nationals MP Andrew Broad has stated he will walk away from the government should the prime minister change his current approach to marriage equality. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has yet to state what his next move will be once the plebiscite is blocked; he supports marriage equality, though the plebiscite was a major component of the coalition …