There are folks in Australia, still struggling with the idea of marriage equality who are confused by partisan loyalty, christian fanatic heresay and misinformed by very bad mainstream press* so I’ve compiled some further reference and information to help them make up their own minds. Here goes:

The Business Case “So if 46,800 same-sex couples wed at an average cost of $65,482, anyone with a calculator and the back of an envelope can predict a $3 billion boost to the economy.” *http://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/here-are-3-billion-more-reasons-to-vote-yes-to-same-sex-marriage-20170811-gxujni.html*

Are we still living in a fucking cave? ‘The former Prime Minister, John Howard, once argued that preventing same-sex couples from marrying was ‘a matter of survival of the species’. Clearly, the ability or desire to have children is not a prerequisite to marriage. Opposite-sex couples can get married whether or not they are able or willing to procreate; same-sex couples are prohibited from marrying, whether or not they are raising children. “Companionate” marriages between elderly heterosexuals past the age of child-bearing are celebrated and affirmed in our society, not banned under law.’ *http://www.australianmarriageequality.org/get-informed/the-quick-case-for-marriage-equality/*

Why does Australia want to be more in common with Uganda than Ireland? This is where the world is heading. Does Australia want to be the only OECD (AND English-speaking country) left behind along with 3rd world countries?

*https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/aug/23/the-answers-in-the-post-australian-marriage-equality-vote-explainer*

We wouldn’t have to fight for it if John Howard did not change the constitution without consultation: In 2004 John Howard’s government changed the law to define marriage as between a man and a woman. Weeks after Britain legalised “civil partnerships” for same-sex couples and as some states in the US and Canada legalised same-sex marriage, the Marriage Act was amended. “Marriage means the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life,” the amended act said. “Certain unions are not marriages. A union solemnised in a foreign country between: a man and another man; or a woman and another woman; must not be recognised as a marriage in Australia.”

DO NOT MAKE THIS A PARTISAN DECISION.

Don’t forget that this is a matter of equality. Keep in mind that once upon a time blacks and whites could not marry.

DON’T be on the wrong side of history: *http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-conservatives-on-wrong-side-of-history-in-gay-marriage-vote/news-story/e888e5ee8ea7e8877fc65d65b9211764*

The complete picture: http://www.equalitycampaign.org.au/marriage-equality

*mostly the Murdoch-owned press which is hopelessly partisan, copiously conservative and corrupted to the core.