Dear Prime Minister,
My name is Gabrielle Stricker-Phelps and I have two mothers. I love them to infinity and they mean the world to me. It would mean so much to me if they were able to get married legally in Australia, our country.
Equality is a hotly debated issue in today’s society. I have learnt that we MUST stand up for what we believe in and I believe in equality for all people.
My mothers, Ms Jackie Stricker-Phelps and Professor Kerryn Phelps, have been fighting for what they believe in for a long time and they are still fighting.
They will definitely keep fighting forever and when their lives come to an end, should legislation not be changed by then – which I sincerely hope it will be- then I will continue fighting for their rights because, simply stated, equality is a human right.
The Stricker-Phelps family today.
I live in a perfectly normal house with my loving family. I have two dogs and two mums, as well as the best extended family in the world. I have many friends at school and all their parents have been given the opportunity to marry legally in Australia. So the question I ask myself every day is ‘Why can’t my parents be married just like all my friends’ parents?’
In this day and age, when the world is fighting against itself with war in Iraq, poverty in Africa and absolute chaos in Libya, I find it hard to understand why my mothers, who exude love and care for me and for our community, would be denied the chance to celebrate this in marriage.
I hope that my plea and wish to you here falls on your warm heart.
Yours faithfully,
Gabi
The Australian Women’s Weekly is proud of its support for same sex marriage through the years. Read more about the debate around gay marriage in the current issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly on stands now.
