By Kyra Gillespie
Australia’s resounding ‘yes’ vote for same-sex marriage has been described as “a massive step forward” for the local LGBTIQ+ community.
Cardinia Shire Council Youth Services officer Miranda Luck runs a number of LGBTIQ+ support groups locally, including Be Ur Self, a social group supporting young people who identify as gay, bi-sexual, lesbian, transgender or intersex; Refract, a weekly social support group for young people who identify as same sex attracted, sex and/or gender diverse; and LGBTIQ+ Supporters Group, a monthly group for parents, guardians, carers grandparents or allies who support someone who identifies as LGBTIQ+.
Ms Luck sees the result as a largely positive outcome.
“I work directly with these young people and my excitement about this outcome has been built up even more by their excitement,” she said.
“This gives us a really positive outlook for the future and for the current queer community.
“Moving forward, these young people will be able to live their lives the way they want to, will be able to make their own choices, express their love in public and be open to the way they feel about their partners.”
Despite the affirming outcome, Ms Luck believes that the vote wasn’t entirely constructive.
“The process itself was quite lengthy and there were a lot of kids who weren’t able to vote who felt that they didn’t have a voice in this.
“For them, it was a decision being made about their futures without them being involved.
“It created conversations in their own households that they didn’t have a say over.”
The ‘yes’ vote for same-sex marriage in the McMillan electorate reached a resounding 62.7 per cent in favour, beating the Australian average ‘yes’ vote of 61.6 per cent but slipping in just under the Victorian vote of 64.9 per cent.
More than 98,000 McMillan voters took part in the ABS survey, or 81.4 per cent of those eligible.
“Knowing that there is a local support for a ‘yes’ is really encouraging.
“It gives our young people more faith that they will not be discriminated against for who they choose to love.
“We’re hoping to increase the amount of interaction and involvement with the community.”
McMillan MP Russell Broadbent was quoted in August this year as saying he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman, but that he would support the outcome of the vote.
The Gazette contacted his office for a response but there had been no response by the time of going to press.
