Kerryn Phelps on marriage equality: ‘We won’t drop the ball. We won’t stop’

PROFESSOR Kerryn Phelps and her partner Jackie Stricker-Phelps have been lobbying for same-sex marriage for 20 years. They’re still fighting — and they won’t stop.

“My wife and I are patient people — we just celebrated the 20th anniversary of our relationship, and have recently become grandparents. If marriage equality gets across the line, the Australian community wins.” (Pic: Supplied)

I DIDN’T grow up wanting to be a doctor. It was only when I was putting down my preferences for university that I asked myself, “What do I really love doing?”

I realised I loved working with people. I wanted to make a difference. I liked science. That all coalesced to a decision to put medicine down. As fate would have it, I got in with my first preference of Sydney University.

It was 1981 when I started working as an intern, so I have been involved in medicine for more than 30 years. I was the first woman to be elected president of the Australian Medical Association [AMA].

As a woman in a male-dominated profession, I may have faced difficulties, but I was unaware of them. For me, it was about whether I was the right person to be providing health information on TV or stand for the presidency of the AMA.

It was always about the greater good, rather than me personally.

Professor Kerryn Phelps AM features in Stellar magazine. (Pic: Cameron Grayson for Stellar)

At this stage of my career, people tend to seek me out when their problems have not been solved after a great journey. This was the impetus for my book The Mystery Gut, because the solution often seems to be in the gut.

Co-writing the book with Dr Claudia Lee and nutritionist Jaime Rose Chambers, who is my daughter, was easy because we collaborate often and understand each other’s areas of expertise.

I’ve always had a great capacity for work.

Luckily, I have incredible support at home from my wife, Jackie [Stricker-Phelps]. We were married in 1998 in New York, but our marriage isn’t legally recognised in Australia.

We have been fighting for marriage equality for 20 years; it’s like having an extra part-time job. But it’s wonderful to see now how many people are behind this movement.

I think the Australian community has lost patience with politicians for delaying on making a decision. We’re seeing one country after another recognise marriage equality.

Nobody who cares about social justice can understand why this is taking so long.

My wife and I are patient people — we just celebrated the 20th anniversary of our relationship, and have recently become grandparents.

If marriage equality gets across the line, the Australian community wins. In the meantime, we won’t drop the ball. We won’t stop.

The Mystery Gut (Pan Macmillan, $34.99) is out now.

KERRYN’S TIPS FOR BEING A PIONEER

2. Be resilient. Learn how to bounce back from disappointment.

3. Participation is key. You don’t have to be the best at everything, but if you try lots of things you’ll find your talent and passion.