Lessons from America

Australia saw first-hand that same-sex couples share these values when recent Big Brother winner, Ben Norris, proposed to his fiancé on national TV with these words:

This was a diamond that my great grandfather bought for my great grandmother and it was worn by my parents on their wedding day so it's something that is a part of my family. Since I've met Ben all I have wanted is for him to be a part of my family.

Earlier this year Australian Marriage Equality shifted its advocacy focus to the link between marriage and family. There was a similar focus in the narrowly defeated campaign for same-sex marriage in Tasmania.

The task ahead is to re-orient the Australian marriage equality conversation so we are talking about why marriage matters at least as much as why equality matters.

What the U.S. election result doesn't mean for the Australian marriage equality movement is that we should aim for an Australian referendum. In the words of leading American marriage equality advocate, Evan Wolfson:

Rights should not be put to a vote. While we have now shown we can do it, it doesn't mean that we should have to do it, and it doesn't mean that it is easy to do.

Since 2009 the number of federal representatives who are prepared to vote for marriage equality has increased ten-fold from six to 68, and will increase far more when the Coalition allows a conscience vote.

The ACT, South Australia, NSW and Tasmania will move forward with relevant legislation in the near future, and as soon as one jurisdiction achieves equality the push will accelerate elsewhere. Legislative reform remains Australia's best path to marriage equality.

Finally, what does the U.S. election mean for those Australians who are conflicted about marriage equality or who oppose it?

The U.S. election shows that the historical trend is clearly towards marriage equality. Given this, there seems to be no point prolonging the inevitable outcome, and dividing the nation in the process. Opposition to marriage equality is a losing cause that simply diverts attention from other pressing issues.

Now is a time for those not on the side of equality to reflect on whether they really want to drag this debate out until marriage equality is eventually achieved or whether they will sensibly and graciously allow the issue to be resolved as soon as possible.