reynardo | After the last success... (Reply)

... of writing to my local MPs, I'm doing it again.

Why?

Because the Government is going to ask the MPs to consult with their constituents to find out if people are in favour of or against same-sex marriage in Australia.

So I need to make sure my local MP knows my views.

Some MPs have surveys on their home pages or can be contacted via a generalised web form, but I prefer home-written letters.

And here's mine:

Dear Kelvin,

First of all, please accept and pass on my thanks for your action and the Government's consequent decision not to cut health research spending. I appreciate being listened to, and I further appreciate that the decision was not easy. It warms my heart to know that this is a Government who cares about the future and knows how to make priorities.

I am writing to you today to make sure that you can represent my views accurately in the upcoming forum on the legalisation of marriage for same sex couples.

I am totally in favour of it.

I have dear, dear friends who have been together for over 30 years, and who still cannot be sure that when one of them dies, the other will be accorded the rights that a spouse would gain automatically. Michael cannot be certain that his statement of Jeff's wishes would be taken into consideration should Jeff fall ill and be unable to communicate. They have to make special arrangements for inheritance and finance that are automatic in the case of married couples.

When gay friends attend a wedding performed by a celebrant, they have to listen to the words of a previous Government stating that their own partnership is not valid, not legally binding and not accepted. Hearing that makes me cringe, and makes me feel very sad, and I have heard gay friends of mine talk of how demeaning and sub-human it makes them feel.

I am completely dumbfounded by those people who claim allowing two people of the same gender to marry will destroy families and lead to the destruction of society. I can only feel sorry for anyone who feels uncertain enough about their own lives that they fear anything "different". Australia rejoices in being a country that accepts many varied cultures, lifestyles, diets and dances, and in doing so has enriched itself beyond all belief. I believe that legalising marriage between same-sex partners can only add to this wondrous culture of ours.

So please register that this member of your electorate is wholly and totally in favour of legalising the marriage of two people who love each other and who are willing and wishing to spend the rest of their lives together – and who want to stand up in front of friends and witnesses to state this. Please would you let the Prime Minister know that I want same-sex marriage between two consenting, caring, loving and committed people to be legal, and that I trust that she will legislate accordingly.

Yours sincerely