“This can be a unifying moment, but only if we make it so.”
At the steps of Parliament House, over 5000 people came together yesterday to march for a right that many have been fighting for for a long, long time.
The National Union of Students have been campaigning for same-sex marriage to be legalised since 2004, and yesterday they created the biggest outcome for this civil rights issue anyone in Adelaide has ever seen.
Greens Senator, Sarah Hanson-Young, made the first appearance of the day, saying she voted ‘yes’ because love and equality matters.
“I voted ‘yes’ because everyone deserves equal treatment under the law. I voted ‘yes’ because I want my daughter to grow up in a society that is fair and respectful, and where young people, who are trying to work out who they are, know that they belong, because every person deserves to belong,” says Senator Hanson-Young.
Following on, Labor Senator Penny Wong’s, name was on everyone’s lips in the growing crowd. She took to the steps and made it clear that “this can be a unifying moment, but only if we make it so”.
“This is a principle worth fighting for. This is a reform that goes to who we are as a nation,” says Senator Wong.
“All parties, all political groupings, all organisations who are prepared to stand up for equality, we campaign together because that is the only way.
“Make sure in how we campaign that we are not distracted by those who want to create controversy, those who want to focus on disrespect, [or] those who want to make this survey about everything else.”
Among the other activists who spoke were Reverend Sue Wickham from Church of the Trinity at Clarence Park, who made it very clear that this debate is not a religious matter.
“None of the exemptions or religious freedoms that religious organisations currently have will be affected in the slightest,” says Reverend Wickham.
As the speeches ended and everyone made their way to King William Street, passionate voices screamed from the bottom of their lungs, “gay, straight, black or white, marriage is a civil right” while walking up to Victoria Square.
The Adelaidian will be voting YES for same-sex marriage. Please make sure you post your votes as soon as they reach your doorstep. Results will be announced on November 15th.
