Last week I went around the offices at my university department, giving everyone a yes poster. Our corridor is now a big rainbow, showing support to every student who walks through in the coming months.
While this gesture was small, I can’t help but think it would never have happened without the same-sex marriage postal survey. In fact, despite all the negative coverage, the survey is already creating a lot of positives.
Just look at the mobilisation of the queer community. Since the announcement of the postal survey they have begun to organise, and with amazing results. We’ve seen rallies across the country, with the two largest ever in favour of LGBTIQ rights happening in Melbourne and then Sydney. Meanwhile, thousands of people have begun phone banking and door-knocking in favour of a yes vote, while our cities are being covered with rainbows; with councils, businesses and regular citizens getting in on the action.
This is not just coming from the usual suspects. The postal survey is bringing people from all walks of life out to publicly support marriage equality.
Just look at the business support for marriage equality. We’ve seen ad companies refuse to produce no campaign ads, Officeworks say they won’t print homophobic materials and small businesses plastering their windows with rainbows. The AFL, NRL, and Cricket Australia have encouraged people to vote yes, while some of Australia’s most working class unions have also come out in support.
This is not just restricted to the city either, with positive actions happening across rural and regional areas. Toowoomba, the home town of Lyle Shelton for example, has had a rally, door-knocking and phone calling parties. Advocates in Mackay, one of the larger towns in George Christensen’s electorate, are organising movie showings and a rally in the town. There are groups and actions set up in Ballarat, Albury-Wodonga, the Wimmera Mallee, Dubbo, Townsville, Carnarvon, Port Lincoln ... the list goes on.
This to me has always been the potential positive that could come from a postal survey on marriage equality.
Firstly, this survey is forcing a movement that has been primarily based in the halls of parliament to mobilise on the streets. Advocates are now having hundreds of thousands of conversations with people across the country, the sort of engagement that has been proven to be the best way to overcome homophobic attitudes. These activities are building queer communities, strengthening the resilience among them in a time when we are facing increasing attacks.
The debate is also flushing out supporters of marriage equality who once were mostly quiet on the issue. The vote is forcing people to take a side, and publicly, and, surprise surprise, a large number of people are coming out in support of yes. In just the past few days for example Frances Abbott, the daughter of former prime minister Tony Abbott, filmed an ad in support of marriage equality. This kind of support, which makes Tony Abbott’s views look increasingly isolated, is something that would likely have never happened without the campaign.
The value of this is being totally underrated. Most queer kids growing up in isolated areas, those we are most concerned about during this postal survey, would already know that there are many in their community who are homophobic. What they may not have known was that their teacher, counsellor, or even a family member were actually supportive. Even if just one person in a local community does this, even if just one person pledges a yes vote, then that one person is likely more support than many kids had before.
This is the thing about a postal survey. By forcing the debate we’re bringing people out of the woodwork. Supporters are standing up in communities around the country, a huge and bold show of force in favour of LGBTIQ people. This will build alliances and strength that will last well beyond the vote.
I appreciate people’s concerns about the impact of the debate, and I know many are struggling. While we’ve concentrated on the “barrage of bigotry” however, we’ve ignored the potential that the positives could actually outweigh the negatives. This was the experience in Ireland, where the huge yes vote resulted in young LGBTIQ people feeling more comfortable in society and in turn more willing to come out.
I know many did not want this postal survey. But instead of worrying about a few high-profile homophobes, it is the positives we should be focusing on. In doing so we can provide support for young queer kids and build a sense of solidarity and community that will genuinely change homophobic views in our society. If we do that, this survey will have a legacy going well beyond marriage equality.
- Simon Copland is an Australian freelance writer, specialising in sex, culture and politics
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