Lesbian friends losing hope.

Paul · ‎03-03-2016

My Lesbian friends are engaged.

It's an amazing story because there was so much heartache from previous relationships that didn't work out.

The girls met and hit it off, now their relationship is strong and loving and they are engaged.

Both girls have had episodes of depression lately, one of them more so, because of all the hate against the LGBTI community that is around at the moment.

There's campaigns against our community by the Australian Christian Lobby, ex Prime Minister John Howard, ex Prime Minister Tony Abbott, a very biased Q&A show on trans and gender diverse people.

My friends are losing hope that they will be allowed to be married in our country.

What would your advice be to my friends?

Are you in a similar situation?

Paul

justinok · ‎03-03-2016

I just can't engage (sorry about the pun) with it. It gets me too upset. I avoided watching that Q&A and reading about it afterwards, I am glad I did. Having the balls to have a go at the child of a same-sex couple in the audience and tell her that she was not part of a real family... and knowing that these people want to have hate speech laws temporarily suspended so they can spew more bile in a $160m plebiscite, that WE have to pay for. Wow, pay to be abused? There's already services available for that thanks, and I'm sure there are a lot of pollies that already make use of them in private.

Sorry this was supposed to be about your friends Paul. I have friends that have gone and got legally married in New Zealand or in the US or Canada, and then come back here and had a full on ceremony. I know it's not the same, but legally it looks like the loophole around recognising overseas marriages will be sorted before it's possible to actually do it on home soil. So that would be my practical suggestion. If you can afford it, that is.

But I totally identify with the depression over it all. It really gets me, as does all the Safe Schools crap that's been going on.

Gruffudd · ‎04-03-2016

I guess I also have avoided the discussions on Q and A and the like. If it is like what happened when the crimes acts were being amended then there will be an increase in noise until the change and then the majority will move on and support and accept us as a community. I am not one for advice but I would point out that the negative voices are the minority. They may have a right to speak but do not have a right to denigrate and humiliate others. If they believe that they can't put their case with current discrimination laws then they have no case to make.

The best way I know to counter the hate is to get our community together and celebrate who we are. It is life affirming and powerful when we fill our town square with gay and lesbian people of all ages, their families and loved ones, supporters... Last time a parent of a 14 year old boy stood up with his son by his side, introduced him and spoke passionately about how he wanted his son to have the same rights and opportunities as anyone else. He wanted to see him happy and able to marry, to work, and to contribute to our town. We can't forget our trans brothers and sisters they are part of our community too and make it all the richer and stronger, here we have trans teachers, army, police, and one of our most respected GP's is a beautiful trans woman. I think it makes me feel better to recognise the contribution LGBTIQ people make to the community and to make sure those stories are told and heard - our lives matter.

Rob.

Paul · ‎04-03-2016

Thanks Gruffudd and justinok. I value both your feedback. It's an upsetting topic and bound to spark a few internal fires in us all at the moment.

I really feel for trans folks who have to put up with a double dose of crap in this society.

Paul · ‎04-03-2016

Pun pardoned... this time justinok!

Kazzl · ‎11-03-2016

Your community has a lot of friends in the straight community guys. Walking alongside you, and impatiently waiting to buy new hats for the weddings. It will come, and when it does we will rejoice. Together.

Solidarity my friends.

Oh, and don't get me started on the Mad Monk ... please don't. I'm a federal public servant ... do you know the painting The Scream by Edvard Munch? We do.

xxxx

Gruffudd · ‎11-03-2016

I appreciate it Kaz, and whilst I do support the change and it really is time it happened, your hats won't be out for me. I have no intention of ever marrying I simply don't wish to join in with something that has been used against my community historically like marriage has. That said, I would love to join you and buy a hat when these weddings finally take place.