TWO Mount Gambier residents are set to make history by being the first same-sex couple to exchange their vows in the district under Australian law.
Couple Alanna Lawson and Mia Heuzenroeder are believed to be the first same sex couple who will have their vows recognised legally in a regional ceremony.
This follows the historic marriage equality vote and passage of the landmark legislation through Federal Parliament in December.
Alanna and Mia – who will exchange their vows at an intimate ceremony at Glencoe this weekend – said it was a dream come true after many years together.
“We are so excited about the ceremony,” Alanna said.
Alanna described the marriage equality vote outcome as an emotional roller-coaster and a milestone for the same-sex community.
“It was something that I never realised was so important to me because I have never been ashamed of who I am, but it is so important to feel accepted by the community,” she said.
“We got an overwhelming feeling of acceptance.”
Alanna said she had already noticed a considerable shift in attitudes since the marriage equality vote.
“Even our videographer sent us a form to fill out and it included bride number one and two – I think people are now a lot more aware and accommodating,” she said.
Explaining the couple had been planning the wedding for some time, Mia said before the marriage equality legislation was passed there were “a lot more obstacles”.
“We had to say sorry, it is two females getting married and some people were quite apprehensive.”
She said the low “yes” result in the Barker electorate to the nationwide plebiscite did have them initially concerned there could be some backlash from the community.
“But we have not seen that, it has been overwhelmingly positive,” Mia said.
The couple plan to exchange their vows at a picturesque garden setting at Glencoe in front of 70 guests.
“What we are hearing is that we will be the first same-sex couple to exchange their vows in the region since the marriage equality law came in,” Mia said.
“We do not believe there have been any others since the vote.”
Mia said there had been some commitment ceremonies in the past, but the change in law meant it was now a legal and binding marriage.
“When the vote passed we had family members ringing us up in tears. My grandfather rang me up screaming and cheering saying ‘it’s real – you guys can get married’,” she said.
“We knew they were accepting and proud, but to hear that from him was really nice.”
The couple said the marriage equality legislation had also given them more confidence to express who they were in the community.
“We are not the sort of people to show affection in public anyway, but if we want to hold hands shopping now it does not feel as taboo as it did.”
The couple are celebrating their seventh anniversary this year.
