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Gay Australians waiting to get married legally

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 05 Aug 2017, 07:05 am Print

Gay Australians waiting to get married legally
Melbourne, Aug 5 (JEN): A marriage has its pros and cons, but above all it grants one extended legal rights, which can act as an advantage at certain times, as gay Australians feel.

Australia has come a long way in terms of recognising homosexuality, but is yet to legalise gay marriages.

When it comes to marriage equality, the LGBTQ section in the country feels left out.

"There are extended legal rights that you get through marriage," a LGBTQ member told the BBC.

Speaking about his partner's health, the man, who has been in a decade long relationship, says that he's worried that one day his partner will seriously fall sick and doctors won't allow the former to be at the latter's bedside to take care of him.

"If he was on life support and I was not recognised as his partner that really concerns me. If I was married, I'd have a piece of paper to prove it," the man told the network.

Sharing their plight, a lesbian couple, Annette Cairnduf, 48, and Kylie Gwynne, 50 said that they were married for 24 hours, following which the union was annulled.

"This marriage, of two people who had been together for 13 years, was declared invalid - so we're not married anymore. But we were for 24 hours," Annette Cairnduff said.

Same sex marriages were legal for a very brief time in Australia around 2013.

A High Court ruling that very year made it impossible for LGBTQ couples to marry legally in the country.

But the silver lining remains in the slowly open attitude towards same-sex marriages by voters with each passing year.

Keeping her faith strong, Michelle Norris, 50, who's engaged to 35-year-old Kelly, said, "I hope it becomes legal, not just for us but for other couples as well. Heterosexual marriages don't have it perfect either."

Sharing her story, Michelle said that even at this day and age she faces prejudice from society.

"I'll introduce people to Kell as my wife and people look at you and say: 'How can she be your wife' - and they frown upon it," she said.

The pentagenarian said that she expects people to treat the LGBTQ community the same as they would treat a heterogeneous person.

"So many people say it and we're just the same as them. We deserve the same rights as they do," Michelle said.

A few months ago, Taiwan, Germany and Malta made news after they ruled in favour of gay marriages.

By voting in favour of the motion, Taiwan etched its name in history books by becoming the first Asian nation to do so.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's action has pushed China to think about matter seriously as activists in the mainland have urged the nation to learn from their neighbours.