America has legalised gay marriage!

I will always remember the moment I read that gay marriage was legalised across every state in the United States of America. I had finished my shift working at a bar and had just arrived at my friend’s house who was still up celebrating their birthday. I walked in, sat down, scrolled through Instagram, saw the good news and immediately let everyone know. The reactions were beautiful. A moment to truly remember.

In the wee hours of Saturday morning (Australia) / Friday morning (America), the U.S Supreme Court legalised gay marriage. Within hours, couples were uniting in wedlock across the country. Marriage licences were flying out the doors.

The US Supreme court ruled that same-sex marriage was legal right across the United States this weekend.

14 States had banned same sex marriage. Now, these states can no longer enforce this ban.

The reactions worldwide have been so positive, for the most part. Nonetheless, many right-wing Americans have said their government has no right to redefine something as sacred as marriage.
Some American citizens are even declaring they will permanently relocate to Australia, due to the EMBARRASSING fact that gay marriage is still illegal here. I shudder at the thought of their arrival.

Around the world, there are proclamations that LOVE is LOVE, that everyone has the right to spend the rest of their life with the person they love, regardless of their religion, genders, beliefs, cultures or what the law dictates.

My own very religious mother and I spoke a couple of weeks ago about this matter. She told me that it doesn’t matter who I fall in love with or who I spend the rest of my life with, male or female is fine by her, as long as the love is genuine and equally returned.

President Barack Obama has called this ruling a “victory for America,” stating, “When all Americans are treated as equal, we are all more free.”

Never again will the union between two people of the same gender be called “Gay Marriage” in America. Now it is what it is – “marriage.” This marks a historic moment for love, perseverance and equality.

The Australian government clearly has some catching up to do. We need to call on our leaders to follow in the footsteps of the USA and Ireland.

When questioned about the historic ruling of his largest alley, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said, “What happens in the United States is obviously a matter for the United States, just as what happened in Ireland a few weeks ago is a matter for the Irish.”

We all know Tony Abbott is staunchly opposed to same sex marriage due to his fundamentalist Christian beliefs. When asked, the PM said, “Obviously there is a community debate going on…I have views on this subject which are pretty well known and they haven’t changed.”

Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says now is the time to act on marriage equality in Australia. He took to twitter on Saturday with his support: “Fantastic decision in support of marriage equality by US Supreme Court” …“Time now for Oz to act.”

Malcolm Turnbull has stated that a “free vote” on gay marriage should be held when Parliament returns from the Winter break in August.

There has been increasing support for change in Australia since Ireland led the way over a month ago. Come on Australia – now it’s our turn.