Open letter to Prime Minister Julia Gillard on gay marriage

NEWS.COM.AU'S Matt Young writes to Prime Minister Julia Gillard asking her to change her mind on gay marriage.

Gay marriage

Dear Prime Minister,

I write to you as a tax paying citizen, a brother, a son, an uncle and a member of the homosexual community frustrated with our politicians’ lacklustre stance on the rights of gay and lesbians in our fair nation. On both sides of the political fence, that is.

News that the US states of Maine, Maryland and Washington State legalised gay marriage on Tuesday cemented the notion that Australia is well and truly behind the eight-ball. Ten states in the US now recognise same-sex marriage.

Globally, Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, and Sweden also recognise our legal right to wed.

How many states in Australia thus far? Zero.

Sadly, I didn’t feel much when I watched Big Brother 2012 winner Benjamin Norris propose live on air to his partner last night. It’s a nice gesture, but unless they move to Buenos Aires, it’s not going to happen.

I grew up in a middle-class neighbourhood in the Christian threshold of Sydney’s north-west suburbs. When I was in school, I was bullied to the point that I couldn’t turn a corner without someone screaming out “faggot” or “poofter”. My agriculture teacher used to make a mockery of me in front of the other boys, once telling me that to fit in, I needed to lower my voice.

Life was pretty tough back then. As a fourteen-year-old kid, I was still trying to figure out my own identity and sexuality while dodging sausage rolls that would be thrown at me from the field. I learnt to keep my head down and show no fear in the face of ignorance and hatred.

Now, this is what I ask of you, Prime Minister. Show no fear. Right now, you’re our hope, Julia. We need you to stand tall, speak up and make a difference.

Read Matt's full letter here at The Punch.

You can follow Matt Young on Twitter: @the_mattyoung