Remember Peter Dutton’s dummy-spit about CEOs “sticking to their knitting” and not getting involved in minor grievances like marriage equality?
Well, companies like Qantas, ANZ and AirBnB haven’t – in fact,they just launched a campaign urging people not to rest #UntilWeAllBelong in Australia as an act of stark defiance.
The campaign has released a simple black ring that’s broken in the middle – a symbol of the gap in marriage equality that we need to close.
The video highlights the frustrations of families and friends of LGBTIQ individuals who can’t marry in Australia because a major part of closing that divide is garnering support from the wider community – “when we stand together, we can make a big difference.”
“Our mission is to make everyone feel welcome and accepted no matter who you are. It’s this focus that has brought our attention to the LGBTQI community and the support needed for marriage equality in Australia,” AirBnB, who defiantly left their knitting needles at home, said.
“We see marriage as a fundamental part of belonging and, while we know Australians accept marriage equality, we are determined to help empower change to ensure all Australians have the right to marry the person they love.”
Companies supporting the campaign.
The campaign is peppered with heartfelt stories from mothers, fathers, sisters and friends who see the damage of making thousands of people feel as if they are somehow inferior to other Australians.
One dad speaks of his battles at overcoming his own prejudices when his son came out after “growing up in a homophobic household”.
“I always used to think that gays were weak people,” he confesses. “You’re not a weak person if you stand up and say ‘I’m different’ and I would definitely speak as a proud father at my son’s wedding.”
Another mum, who identifies herself as a Christian working for a Christian organisation, expresses her distress at the tendency to justify the discrimination as a religious issue.
“It’s a human rights issue, not a Christian issue,” Michelle says through tears.
“They don’t realise how hurt you feel as a parent not to have full equality for all your children.”
Senator Eric Abetz, arch-conservative of Turnbull’s government and firmly in Mr Dutton’s “stick to knitting camp”, was critical of CEOs he felt put ‘politically correct’ campaigns above the needs of their staff.
“It’s disappointing that certain CEOs are trying to establish their personal PC credentials rather than being fully focused on the interests of their shareholders,” Senator Abetz told Fairfax Media.
“The 5000 staff at Qantas who lost their jobs a few years ago and the 200 staff who lost their jobs at ANZ last year would be very disappointed to learn those companies couldn’t afford to keep them but have the money for these types of campaigns.”
You can get your own free ring from untilweallbelong.com and show your support for marriage equality.
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