by Clint McGilvray Clint McGilvray was the communications manager for Australian Marriage Equality and ran the Yes" campaign from 2016 to the end of 2017. Now working for himself, he recalls the ups and downs of the campaign.If you told me as a child growing up in Wagga Wagga in the 1990s that I would work for the marriage equality campaign, it wouldn't have even been believable. I think that childhood helped me have a read on what people think. Growing up in a regional place I’ve seen every walk of life, so I’ve got an understanding of people’s views and what makes them tick.Fifteen years ago, I started working in politics, interning for the NSW opposition leader. Working in government, I always worked in areas of horror – it was always police, emergency services, fires, floods, shootings and disasters. So I’ve seen the best of humanity and I’ve seen the worst. I saw that a little bit in the campaign as well.In politics, I’d worked … [Read more...] about Marriage Equality comms chief Clint McGilvray recalls his most difficult day
Australia marriage equality
Barnardo’s comes out in support of marriage equality in Northern Ireland
News / UK by Press Association 01/08/2018, 12:03 am FacebookTwitterWhatsAppEmail Send us a story Sign up to our Daily newsletter Barnardo’s has become the first children’s charity in Northern Ireland to publicly voice support for the recognition of same-sex marriage. It made the announcement on Wednesday to coincide with Belfast Pride’s Coming Out for Change campaign, and just days before the city’s Pride parade. Northern Ireland is the only region of the UK where same-sex marriages are not recognised. With devolved government at Stormont remaining in suspension since January 2017, earlier this year Labour MP Conor McGinn tried unsuccessfully to force the policy through Westminster via a private members bill. In 2015 a majority of MLAs backed the introduction of same-sex marriage the last time it was debated at Stormont, but the DUP blocked it using a petition of concern. Barnardo’s has in the past supported marriage … [Read more...] about Barnardo’s comes out in support of marriage equality in Northern Ireland
Marriage equality provides tourism boon for Saipan
Saipan, CNMI — The Northern Marianas island of Saipan is booming as a location for same sex marriages. The Saipan Mayor's Office issued a total of 117 marriage licenses during the first six months of the year, 90 to same-sex couples. While Chinese tourists still continue to lead traveller numbers to the CNMI to tie the knot, Saipan Mayor David Apatang said other ethnicities such as Russians, Koreans and Bangladeshis have followed suit. Of the same-sex couples that received marriage licenses from the Mayor's Office, 61 were female couples and 29 were male couples and the majority were Chinese. The rise in same-sex marriages, especially from tourists, came as the mayor's office increased the cost of obtaining marriage licenses. Non-residents or tourists are charged US$250 to obtain a marriage licence and residents are charged US$130. In Oceania, only the CNMI, Guam, French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna recognise full marriage equality along with Australia, Hawai'i … [Read more...] about Marriage equality provides tourism boon for Saipan
Positives of marriage equality far outweigh the negative
Published Jun 13, 2018 at 8:00 am (Updated Jun 13, 2018 at 7:32 am) I wanted to write a follow-up to my previous opinion, titled “The campaign for equality”, which was published on May 7 of this year.A comment was made that I felt needed answering in greater detail. The comment was this:“Why is the United Nations always quoted when their own members don’t follow their playbook? The current UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is from a country that provides nothing for same-sex couples.”The comment is a fair one, but needs to be understood in context.The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed by member states in 1948. There had been two world wars, the Great Depression, a civil war in Spain, with millions of lives lost and millions impacted in Great Britain, Europe, the Soviet Union, the Middle East, Asia, the Caribbean, and in North and South America. Landscapes, cities, towns, homes, farms and industry needed rebuilding. Resources were … [Read more...] about Positives of marriage equality far outweigh the negative
Arboretum turns rainbow coloured to celebrate marriage equality
Canberra reaffirmed its position as the rainbow city on Saturday with Australia's largest rainbow painted onto the lawns of the Arboretum to celebrate marriage equality.People took advantage of the exceptional wind with rainbow kites soaring into the sky.Rainbow clad children, pets and a fair few adults too danced along thanks to a DJ, rolled down the enormous hill and enjoyed a sausage sizzle.Local Shane McWhinney came to celebrate with a close friend and her children. Mr McWhinney, who is in a nine year same-sex relationship, said he volunteered with the Yes campaign as a strong believer in equality."It's not because I'm a huge fan of marriage, it's just about equality," he said."And I know it means a lot to a lot of people. Advertisement "It was about putting a stake through the heart of discrimination." You will now receive updates from AM & PM Update Newsletter AM & PM Update Newsletter Get the latest news and updates emailed straight to your inbox. By … [Read more...] about Arboretum turns rainbow coloured to celebrate marriage equality