FRUSTRATED marriage equality supporters are being called on to lobby their MPs to get behind the cause.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The New England electorate has become the latest target for same-sex marriage advocates with a forum being held at Joe Maguires Pub in Tamworth on Tuesday night.
Olympic gold medallist Daniel Kowalski will headline the forum, which he said was aimed at putting a human face on the need for marriage equality.
“It’s an issue that doesn’t discriminate by postcode,” Mr Kowalski said.
“Hopefully, it can normalise what can be an awkward conversation.”
Mr Kowalski said the frustration and passion of the LGBTI community and its supporters has been consistent at other forums held across the state, with similar events held in Wagga Wagga, Albury and Orange.
“It’s 2017 and we’re still talking about this,” he said.
The marriage equality campaigner said “it would be great to see a vote” on the issue in parliament.
“The power is in their hands, but they are choosing to sit on their hands,” he told The Leader.
Equality campaign director Tiernan Brady said the “works to empower local communities so they can be apart of creating this reform that will improve the lives of so many Australians.”
“Marriage equality will not change anything for the vast majority of Australians, but will make a profound difference to the status and dignity of many,” Mr Brady said.
The campaign director said the most effective thing locals could do was “pick up the phone, write a letter or meet with their MP”.
“It’s an issue that effects Tamworth and real people who live there,” he said.
Mr Brady said he had been struck by the sense of community expressed in regional communities around the state.
“They’re sticking by each other and defending each other as members of the community,” he said.
“That’s being extended to the lesbian and gay community.
“When they’re visible, they want them to have the same status as anyone else.”
Tamworth’s Marriage Equality Forum kicks off at 6.30pm at Joe Maguires Pub.
Armidale’s forum will be hosted at The Royal Hotel on Wednesday.