SUNDAY marked one year since Mount Gambier’s first marriage equality rally, when almost 300 residents marched through the heart of the city demanding change.
Commercial Street was awash with colour on an overcast Saturday morning as peaceful protesters marched from Vansittart Park to the Cave Gardens, urging politicians and the wider community to support their campaign.
One year on, march organiser Di Ind said despite overwhelming community support, same-sex couples could be waiting until 2019 to be legally married in Australia.
“From a federal perspective, the plebiscite was knocked back in November and we will most likely be waiting until the next election for the Federal Government to revisit the issue,” Ms Ind told The Border Watch.
“The State Government has been very proactive in ensuring more equality – same-sex couples now have the right to adopt in South Australia and legislation has been introduced to limit discrimination.
“Locally, I continue to be amazed by the community support – I still have people approach me to chat about the issue or get in contact with me on Facebook all the time.”
The high-profile campaigner, who would like to have her 10 year relationship and four year engagement with her partner legally recognised, said she would “never give up the fight.”
“These are basic human rights we are being denied,” Ms Ind said.
“I would like to organise another march to keep the issue at the forefront of peoples minds, however I’m mindful of other important issues in the region.
“I don’t want to take away from other important campaigns in the South East.”
During a recent visit to Mount Gambier, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said his party’s commitment to a national plebiscite remained the same.
While the Federal Government’s proposal to allow Australians to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to legalise same-sex marriage was defeated in the Senate in November, ultimately delaying the issue, Ms Ind said she would never support a public vote.
“A public vote is a waste of time, money and resources and would have resulted in harmful, demeaning debate,” she said.
“We elect politicians to manage legislation – there should be a direct vote in parliament.”
“I understand a number of people will have views that directly oppose mine and I’m respectful of their opinions – I’m just asking for people to show me the same respect.”
