“It’s about relationships, not politics or religion. It’s just the simple question, should two people be allowed to get married?” says Roger Nee.
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The Mollymook man has rallied 50 Milton-Ulladulla businesses together in a public show of support for the “yes” vote in the marriage equality postal survey.
“We want to get across the message that marriage equality a case of giving choice,” he said.
“We want to be able to give people the choice of who they marry.
“There is always a level of acceptance and tolerance out there, but we need to show that our relationships are as equal and should be respected as much as anyone’s.”
“And celebrated. Marriage is a wonderful way of people coming together and celebrating their love with one another with their family and friends,” Marriage Equality Gilmore spokesperson Dawn Hawkins said.
Mr Nee said the number of businesses “taking a stand” for the LGBTQI community in the region was “very important”.
“At the end of the day we are the last English speaking country in the world to pass marriage equality,” Mr Nee said.
“I think the majority of Australia wants this change and they don’t want to be told we can’t do something because of politicians, we want to be given that choice.
“We need to move forward with the rest of the world.
“It’s about social evolution and social change.
“Anyone who believes in equality in Australia, of all kinds, would surely agree with marriage equality.”
Ms Hawkins said it was “extremely important for people to vote yes” to ensure all Australians, no matter their sexual preference, are represented equally under the law.
“As far as marriage goes, our marriages are not currently recognised by the law as being equal to the rest of society,” she said.
“This has ramifications legally when you go to hospitals or there’s a partner that passes.
“There’s a number of different issues that come up.
“It is extremely important our relationships are seen as equal to everybody else’s.
“Voting ‘yes’ shows [we have] the support of the entire community and acceptance of the LGBTQI community.”
Mr Nee believes marriage equality in Australia is inevitable, no matter the outcome of the postal survey.
“Women were given the right to vote through protest many years ago and we look back and laugh,” Mr Nee said.
“Hopefully this will be something we can look back on and laugh in disbelief.
“The thing about this issue is that if it doesn’t get through in parliament it’s not going to go away.”
