Two hours from the airing of the Big Gay Wedding episode of Adam Hills in Gordon Street Tonight it seems like an opportune time to mention that marriage equality is still something that causes debate in Australia. Which is quite frankly, fucking disappointing.

When the Australian Labour Party changed their policy on marriage equality at their national conference last year PM Gillard made comments along the lines of “marriage equality is a matter of values and MPs will be given the opportunity to vote according to their values”.

Well BOLLOCKS. Teen suicide among same sex attracted young people is the highest of any cohort and the failure of this country’s leaders to stand up and be strong on what amounts to a civil rights issue is disgusting. When PM Gillard says it’s a matter of values, she’s saying that she’s ok with individuals valuing the lives of some young people LESS than some outdated notion of what a legal union of two people means. Yes, same sex attracted young people’s lives and happiness is LESS VALUABLE than the opinions of a bunch of vocal bigots.

The current inquiry is open until April 20th and if you haven’t voiced your opinion on marriage equality you need to do it right now. Until last week, the bigots were loudest in the survey and it was 3:1 in favour of continuing the civil rights abuses of same sex couples. Today I checked again and the progressive and positive voice has woken up and is starting to speak but that doesn’t mean it’s time to sit back and accept victory. There is still nearly a month to go before the survey closes and be sure that there will be efforts on both side of opinion to win the argument. Don’t be the one who let this opportunity to have your voice heard on the value of ALL Australians.

Please take the survey now and add strength to the idea that Australians really are caring, compassionate and progressive people.

Image taken from Fibonacci Blue‘s photostream on Flickr under Creative Commons License.