LOVE IS LOVE - SAY YES TO MARRIAGE EQUALITY

In a few weeks time, the people of Australia will be taking part in a postal survey to answer the following question:

“Do you support a change in the law to allow same-sex couples to marry?”

I know, I also cannot believe we are still having to make a decision like this in 2017. We’ve come so far, but clearly not far enough.

For those of you in the US, I’m sure you’re very well aware of the importance of voting. For us in Australia however, it is compulsory by law to enrol and vote in all federal elections (which should be pretty standard if you ask me) – But in this postal survey, the right is simply voluntary.

I’m sure you can probably gather by the title of this post, that I firmly stand for marriage equality – and overall equality in general. It’s absolutely abhorrent to me, that anyone can possibly believe that they have the right to affect the lives of millions of innocent people, based on their own personal beliefs.

I personally couldn’t care less about who anyone else loves, and I don’t know why you should either.

Sure, you can 100% argue that genetically men and women are formed to be together; that we are made to obtain lifelong relationships, be succumbed to marriage and a lifelong sacred gift from God. I totally understand that the only way that a child can be created ‘naturally’ is via a man and a woman… I get it, I really do.

But hey, I don’t think we are technically supposed to have cesareans, cover our bodies in ink, surgically modify our appearance, cross breed our pets or take chemically modified drugs… But I guess you just have to do what you have to do in order to live a life that you love, right? I think it’s time we put gay marriage on to the list of things we’ve overcome too.

We’re in 2017 for goodness sake! We have moved forward from years of slavery, genocide and war. I think we can move forward through this precious gift of love too.

You can wholeheartedly believe that marriage is between a man and a woman if that’s what you desire, but that doesn’t mean we all have to believe it too. One belief will never control them all and allowing same-sex marriage simply gives everyone the right to love as they please – It’s really not that bad.

If you believe that marriage is purely for that of a man and woman, I ask you one thing:

How will this change of law personally affect you?

If you live an ordinary life, working, being surrounded by people that you accept, coming home to a place in which you find comfort, doing the things that you personally love… What difference will 2 innocent people of the same sex marrying one another, possibly do to your future?

Nothing.

Well, aside from the fact that millions of gay and lesbian people will quietly be able to love whoever they want to love. Awful? I think not.

It’s not as if this country, or the world for that matter, will forever be hearing of gay marriages in the tabloids and on the news. Their celebration of love will be just as quiet as any straight marriage, so there’s really no need to worry.

Love is the most beautiful gift, so let’s allow everyone to commit their love to the person of their dreams.

Put yourself in their shoes. Imagine if you were born loving someone that you were told you weren’t allowed to love; being attracted to someone that society told you was wrong. Flip the tables for just for one second…

Imagine if being straight was a sin. For those currently in a straight relationship, imagine not being able to commit your love to your significant other because they weren’t the ‘correct’ gender. What would you do?

You’d fight for it.

I understand that many may think that this is a hypocritical fight. That we are pushing our beliefs on to the people that are doing the same – But in this instance, one side is confining a whole group of people to their own ideology of who you can and can’t love. Whilst the other is fighting for everyone to love exactly who they please.

One is choosing to accept us all, whilst the other is choosing to tear us apart.

Being compassionate, caring and loving is the most gracious part of human nature. Let’s dig for it and let it speak loud.

Love is love – There’s absolutely nothing more to it.