Wedding Belle
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09 August 2011
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Features
With an ALP national conference looming in December, same-sex marriage advocates are hoping for a massive turn out at this weekend's rally. Andrew Shaw spoke to Equal Love convenor Ali Hogg about rallies, pollies and her personal take on marriage.
Pictured: Marriage rights activist Ali Hogg and bride on the steps of the Registry Office, Spring Street, Melbourne. Photo: Alison Bennett
This weekend's same-sex marriage rally is a big one for Equal Love, the national campaign for same-sex marriage. Not only is it the seventh anniversary of Howard Government changes to the Marriage Act that defined 'marriage' in Australia as a union between a man and a woman, but it's also the last chance for Australians to show en masse their support of same-sex marriage before the Australian Labor Party's National Conference in December.
This year's lead up to that ALP conference has seen the majority of Labor state and territory branches vote in favour of same-sex marriage. However, in Victoria, ALP members left the conference before the motion to support same-sex marriage was brought up – leaving not enough members behind to justify a vote. More recently in NSW the motion was not voted on after a right-wing union opposed it. Still, other states and territories have supported the ALP's inclusion of the policy, including, most recently, the ACT where 90 per cent of members supported same-sex marriage.
But that does not mean the Gillard Government is going to roll over at the national conference and adopt same-sex marriage as a federal Labor policy.
Speaking to Sky News last month on the topic of branch support for marriage rights, Gillard said, "What the National Conference does is it sets the platform, the aspirations for our political party, but always government, Labor Caucus in government makes decisions on government policy,” she said. In other words, same-sex marriage will be a decision for Cabinet, not Caucus.
Melburnian Ali Hogg has become the spokesperson for same-sex marriage in Victoria. As a convenor of Equal Love, hers is the face you're most likely to see on the news as she leads the rally from the State Library to the Registry Office.
Hogg's been active in LGBTI rights "since I was very young" and says she feels proud to be part of a movement that includes hundreds of thousands of people. And she's learnt a lot. "I have probably learnt more about politicians than I have about myself – you can’t trust them and you need a campaign on the streets to make them listen!" she says.
"But I think being involved in political activism definitely means you develop invaluable skills in all sorts of unexpected areas, from public speaking to banner painting, which is why I highly encourage other people to get involved with Equal Love and the campaign for marriage equality. There are so many barriers that LGBTI people face in their lives, but getting active really can help break them down and build confidence."
Hogg has developed a thick skin since she put herself in the public eye. When asked if she's experienced attacks, she says: "All the time! There are some determined bigots out there. I have been taunted by members of the Liberal Party on several occasions, right-wing religious people have tried to disrupt our rallies and the Equal Love website has even been interfered with by computer-savvy homophobes.
"Of course homophobic legislation like the marriage ban effectively acts as a green light for this behaviour, so it just strengthens my resolve to keep fighting for equality."
The LGBTI community is a diverse one, and contains support and opposition to same-sex marriage; a surprising development to many campaigners is the alacrity with which young queers have become politicised over marriage. What about transgender rights? they ask. What about domestic violence and mental health? Why are we not putting our resources into those causes?
Hogg says we should not be creating a hierarchy of causes. "The fight for real equality means change in all sorts of areas, not just marriage, and so all the issues you named are definitely important. I see the equal marriage campaign as a jumping off point for raising a range of causes that are relevant to the LGBTI community, and this is reflected in the speakers Equal Love invites to the rallies and the political issues we speak out against.
"The fact that marriage equality has captured the imagination of mainstream Australia helps all of us trying to get LGBTI issues more into the spotlight, and we need to work together to make the most of this opportunity. Equal Love is thoroughly committed to this."
Economic arguments in support of same-sex marriage – the benefit to industries that service weddings and ceremonies – miss the point, according to Hogg.
"This is an issue of civil rights, primarily. We didn’t ask about the economic impact of recognising Aboriginal people as citizens: the 1967 referendum was passed because it was the right thing to do. Whatever the economic impact, the ALP has to commit to marriage equality becoming law, no ifs, no buts."
It may surprise you to learn that there will be no wedding bells for Hogg in the event same-sex marriage is sanctioned. But it's to miss the point entirely to think that the right to do something compels people to do it.
"I have no desire to get married at all!" Hogg says. "I think that is the case for a lot of people who support this campaign. As a supporter of women’s rights, the institution of marriage, with its history of treating women as the property of the husband, holds no appeal for me. And I don’t feel the need for the government or state to recognise my relationship.
"But I want to be able to choose not to get married, not be told I am not allowed. And I support the rights of those who have a different view and who want to get married, and I wish them all the best."
In this spirit, Equal Love's guest speaker this year is radio presenter Tracy Bartram, who's been married three times. Is she a good advertisement for the institution?
"I guess she’s making up for those of us who can’t!" Hogg says. "We’re thrilled she’s lending her support to the campaign."
Bartram will join guests Adam Bandt, Father Bob, Victorian Trades Hall president Ingrid Stitt, comedian Nathan Valvo, drag queens Polly Filla and Bumpa, and Jade Eckhaus from the National Union of Students.
And don't forget, even if you don't support marriage rights, this is your last chance before that looming December conference to show the government that LGBTI Australians should, as some have jadedly remarked, have the right to ruin their lives just like everyone else.
"So come one, come all – bring everyone you know," Hogg says. "Let’s make our voices heard!"
Equal Love Rally, State Library, Swanston St, City, 1pm, Saturday, August 13, 2011.
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