Love Wins!
Prominent journalists share their reflections on the YES vote.
The 15th day of November 2017 will be one for the history books.
It was the day 7.8 million Australians voted yes in support of marriage equality.
The lives of LGBTQI people were publicly legitimised and love triumphed over a survey which many believed to be a farcical waste of taxpayer dollars.
As the yes vote rolled in, journalists in support of the marriage equality moment expressed their gratitude to Australia the best way they know how — through their writing.
From personal reflections to political analyses, we’ve compiled a list of unmissable articles that were published in the wake of the victorious YES vote.
1. Jason Om: ABC Online
In a visceral and personal piece, ABC Online’s Jason Om recounts his struggles as growing up as a gay man with a conservative Cambodian father.
“The night I told him I was gay,” writes Om, “he quietly responded while gripping a chair, ‘But we sent you to a Catholic school’.”
Om tells of the shame and sadness he felt during one moment, where his father proposed an arranged heterosexual marriage despite knowing his sexual orientation.
Despite this exchange, Om endeavours to ask his father what he thought of the marriage equality survey. The unlikely response he receives is worthy of a re-read.
You can access Jason Om’s piece for ABC Online here.
2. Dee Jefferson: Guardian Australia
Raw and real, Dee Jefferson, national arts editor for Time Out Australia, reflects on her own experiences of discrimination.
Jefferson weighs up marriage, heteronormativity and the heart wrenching effect of the campaign on her sense of self.
“The hardest part has been realising how much homophobia and hate actually exists; how ‘other’ I am” she writes.
Jefferson’s closing comments about fighting for the rights of all minorities demonstrates her overwhelming compassion. This is an important piece that makes for humbling reading.
You can read Dee Jefferson’s article here.
3. Sean Kelly: The Monthly
Master of political commentary Sean Kelly rejoices for the nation and acknowledges the significance of this moment for future generations.
“Soon every child born in this country will grow up in a society in which there is no legal distinction between people of different sexualities,” he writes. “For that generation, it will come to seem crazy that such a line was ever drawn.”
With unrivalled wit, The Monthly’s chief political reporter stands by his belief that the survey was a gutless move from the government.
“Turnbull was taking a big gamble, and he was doing it with other people’s rights.”
“By all means, bet your mortgage on number seven in race three at Randwick,” writes Kelly, “You might win. That doesn’t mean you should have done it.”
You can read Sean Kelly’s piece for The Monthly here.
4. David Marr: Guardian Australia
“I’ve fallen in love with my country all over again,” was the assertion from prominent wordsmith David Marr in his piece for Guardian Australia.
In a flurry of excitement, Marr runs through many emotions as he discusses the discovery of his sexuality, the hurtful effect of the no campaign and his conflicting feelings as the final count was announced.
With as much wry humour as ever, this piece is guaranteed to make you grin. It is a passionate declaration of victory from an incredibly proud man.
You can read David Marr’s piece for Guardian Australia here.
