Farmers rejoice on marriage bill success
It’s official.
Australia has become the 26th country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage.
When the Governor-General signed off the same-sex marriage bill this morning, Amelup farmer Darren Moir reminisced on Australia’s LGBTQI movement over the past decades.
“I can remember when homosexuality was still illegal in Australia,” he said.
“I was only 15 years old when they made it legal in Western Australia - it certainly has come a long way in a reasonably short time.
“It just shows that the tide has turned and gay people are fully accepted in the community nowadays.”
Mr Moir and his partner Nigel Lock gave each other a little high-five and a hug when they saw Australian Parliament members legalised the same-sex marriage bill yesterday.
The marriage equality law passed Parliament with a landslide win, with only four ‘No’ votes coming from MPs Russell Broadbent, Keith Pitt, David Littleproud and Bob Katter.
Meanwhile, Member for O’Connor, Rick Wilson along with Treasurer Scott Morrison and former Prime Minister Tony Abbott chose to abstain from voting.
“When the No campaign made raising children as a prominent part of their campaign – I think it’s a repudiation of the idea that same sex marriage couples can’t raise a family,” Mr Moir said.
Mr Moir who is raising his two-year-old son with his partner, said it was hard to watch the brutal campaign on television.
“But it’s great to know that we have this overwhelming support from the community,” he said.
“Besides other practical things, we’re now able to get married and enjoy all the benefits that other married couples have.”
Mr Moir and Mr Lock are planning a spring wedding at their farm next year and are ready to tie the knot in front of their friends and family.
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