Love is love: ditch the plebiscite
The plebiscite on "same-sex" marriage, proposed to take place on 11 February 2017, exemplifies the inequalities which exist within Australia. The prescriptive term of "same-sex" excluding an important portion of the Australian community. Regardless of how people are identified; whether you are a male, female, intersex, trans or a non-binary person; everyone deserves the basic human right to love and to be loved. Therefore, the term "same-sex" should not be included in the question put to the Australian public. Following in Irelands footsteps, Australian's should not simply vote to allow "same-sex" marriage but to simply allow marriage without gender distinctions. There is a need for marriage equality but also general equality. Equality that should not be distinguished in anyway and accepted without question. As marriage equality director at GetUp, Kelly Rugg suggests, "if it's not equality for all of us, it's really not equality at all".
Australian's don't need to vote on this issue. The expense of spending up to $160 million just to prove that marriage equality should be provided to all Australian's is rubbish. Tax payers money should not be used in this way. Michael Kirby, former justice of the High Court of Australia, stating that "holding a plebiscite on same-sex marriage legislation would set a dangerous precedent in this country". As we live in a parliamentary democracy that requires Government to represent it's citizens, the Government must promote it's citizens equally.
Regardless of this plebiscite, discrimination against excluding communities must stop. Right wing politicians playing God have no right to define a 'proper' human being. No one has a right to define what a 'proper' human being is. Nonacceptance of excluded communities leads to unnecessary outcomes. Societal pressures, put on excluded individuals often leading to suicide; especially youth suicide. Therefore, let us stop discriminating.
The youth of Australia requires this change to occur. The good majority support and do not discriminate our relatives and friends based on their sexual preferences. As a person's character should only be judged by their actions, not their sexual preference or gender. Love is love.
I ask you to acknowledge the injustice that's occurring, to ensure that legislation for marriage equality, with no gender distinctions, be passed through Government without wasting $160 million on a useless plebiscite that may change nothing. Let's change Australia's view on marriage equality for the future generations. Let's create a better Australia.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald
