June 16, 2016
According to a recent study, 73%1 of Australians bought ice cream at the grocery store at least once last year. That makes sense, because ice cream is delicious and people love it.
According to another recent poll, 72%2 of Australians support marriage equality. And when you think about it, that makes sense too, because everybody loves love.
Profound Support
What’s perhaps most surprising about this overwhelming support for marriage equality is just how deep it goes.
96%3 of the population is aware that marriage equality is not yet legal, and—according to an earlier poll—75%4 sees reform as “inevitable.” That alone is a great sign.
But, even more hopeful, majorities support that reform across every single demographic—men and women, employed and unemployed, religious and secular, young and old, urban and rural.5 It’s astounding, and represents (so far!) the culmination of a long, steadily rising trend. Never has support been so high and opposition so low.
The Right Side of History
Ben & Jerry’s has long supported marriage equality in Australia and around the world. To date, marriage equality is the law of the land in nearly two dozen countries.6
In the past year alone, five countries—Colombia, the United States, Greenland, Ireland, and Finland—have allowed marriage for all, which is a beautiful thing. We love it, but we’re hungry for more. Isn’t it time for Australia to step up too?
Here at Home
So with tons of support at home, and change coming in a flurry abroad, what should we expect from the as-yet-unscheduled plebiscite (which itself has invited some controversy)?
When asked in a recent radio interview by the host whether she should start shopping for wedding gifts for gay friends who want to marry, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said, “I think you’re unlikely to be disappointed” by the result of the vote. He went on to say, “I think the plebiscite will be carried, I think there will be a positive vote.” Which is nice! But many have questioned why the prime minister, who is on record supporting marriage equality, does not simply push for Parliament to take action on the issue. No referendum is needed to make equality the law of the land—it looks to be nothing more than a delay tactic, wrapped in patriotic language about the “voice of the people.” Further, the plebiscite is not binding, meaning that even an overwhelming positive vote could not force Parliament to act.
Why spend more money and waste more time on a plebiscite when there’s a perfectly good system already in place for just this sort of thing? Remember: our elected leaders are in Parliament to make laws and represent us. Contact your MP and urge him or her to get to work.
Reason to Celebrate
This movement has been swelling in Australia for decades, and now its time has come. Our partner in this cause, Australian Marriage Equality, has put together a great list of ways you can help make this dream a reality.
We’ve come so far! And we’re finally so close! Let’s keep working, spreading the word, and pressuring our leaders to support marriage equality. The Australian people are clearly ready to join the 23 other countries that have already embraced the idea that we should celebrate love. Together, we’re going to make history.
We’ve come so far! And we’re finally so close! Let’s keep working, spreading the word, and pressuring our leaders to support marriage equality. The Australian people are clearly ready to join the 23 other countries that have already embraced the idea that we should celebrate love. Together, we’re going to make history.
[1] Tubs of Joy: Australians Still Love Ice Cream, Roy Morgan Research, 29 October 2014
2 Same-Sex Marriage Research 2014, Crosby-Textor, 27 June 20142
3 Same-Sex Marriage Research 2014, Crosby-Textor, 27 June 2014
4 National Poll, Galaxy Research, June 2011
5 Same-Sex Marriage Research 2014, Crosby-Textor, 27 June 2014
6 Pew Research Center, Gay Marriage Around the World