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GRAND FINAL SPECIAL TURN INSIDE TO GET YOUR 20-PAGE LIFTOUT Wednesday, 13 September, 2017
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■ Marriage equality takes to the streets in a show of solidarity….
Rainbow day By Bonny Burrows In a colourful display of unity, Cardinia shire residents have thrown their support behind the local LGBTIQ community at a marriage equality rally. An estimated 100 people clad in rainbow colours gathered at Pakenham’s Bourke Park on Sunday 10 September in the run-up to the postal plebiscite to show their support for same-sex marriage. Organised by local members of the rainbow community, the South-East Victoria Rainbow Rally for Marriage Equality rally saw the large group walk from Bourke Park to the John Street Park in support of a change to the Marriage Act and to hear first-hand how important it was to supporters that the law be changed. Co-organiser Melanie Mumford said the rally, which ended with a community picnic, was in celebration of the possibility that Australia may soon achieve marriage equality. “The day was a colourful and positive event which was very welcome as many local LGBTIQ community members are finding the current debate in the lead up to the postal survey challenging and disheartening,” Ms Mumford said. Ballot papers asking people to vote on same-sex marriage were being mailed out to enrolled voters from 12 September. The survey asks if the law should be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry. The response cut-off date is set for 7 November and a result is expected to be released on 15 November. However, the public vote is not binding, with the government giving the final OK to any changes to the Marriage Act. Ms Mumford said that despite the prospect of same-sex marriage soon being legalised, the postal vote was causing a lot of stress within the rainbow community. “We didn’t want this vote, we don’t want the public to have to decide on our personal lives but, given it’s happening, we want the right to be seen as equal and our relationships recognised like other relationships are recognised and our families to be recognised like other
Inspiring speaker Jessica Walton, centre, stands proudly with her sign - Hate is Not a Family Value. 172691 families,” Ms Mumford said. “It’s a really important issue for us, for others it’s smaller, but to know we have the support of people means so much.” Among those showing their support at the rally was Cardinia shire Mayor Brett Owen and fellow councillors Michael Schilling and Leticia Wilmot. Cr Schilling, who spoke at the event, said regardless of people’s view on the issue, it was important to support and represent all members of the community. “It’s important to celebrate that diversity and with a postal vote coming out this week, as a community to get together and show that support,” Cr Schilling said.
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Despite the controversy that has surrounded the issue, Cr Schilling described the rally as “100 per cent very respectful”. “It went really well, it was well attended. People were obviously quite enthusiastic and I think it was quite a significant event to have in our home,” Cr Schilling said. Ms Munford said while the majority of the LGBTIQ community didn’t want the public survey “it’s important to us that as many people as possible do vote and vote yes”. Cr Schilling backed her sentiments, saying that “while I don’t think the postal vote is the best solution, it is what it is and we need to make the most of it”.
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Adeng Zual and Baylee Zarafa proudly lead the march. 172691
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