The VeronicasLong-serving Aussie pop duo The Veronicas are stepping up their public support for same-sex marriage, telling Prime Minister Tony Abbott that he has "missed the opportunity" to be a forward-thinking world leader on the issue, and imploring him to get with the program, in an open "letter" posted to YouTube.
As News Corp reports, the two-piece — individually, siblings Jessica and Lisa Origliasso — posted the video in tandem with their appearance at this past weekend's Marriage Equality rally in Brisbane, fresh from having returned from the United States — where "the example set by government is so powerful and so influential, that's why we're speaking to you today" — and ahead of the cross-party Marriage Equality Bill, for which the LNP is presently in the process of deciding whether it will allow its members a conscience vote.
Describing marriage equality as "no longer a question of IF but now a question of WHEN", the Origliasso sisters plead with Abbott to grant the LNP a conscience vote, stating that "we all deserve the equal rights to marry our partner and to be granted equal dignity in the eyes of the law".
"Mister Abbott, you have missed the opportunity to become a world revolutionary leader on this matter, and now it's time to align with the growing number of governments who have paved the way for us, and not continue our alignment with governments who persist in restricting equal human rights and social progression for its people and country," they said.
"Tradition founded upon laws of discrimination and prejudice does not deserve sanctity in the name of history. It's time to live in a country that recognises all people as EQUAL."
The Veronicas' letter, which you can watch them deliver below, comes hot on the heels of fresh marriage-equality controversy for pay-TV monolith Foxtel, which, as Fairfax reports, has found itself subject to a torrent of criticism from subscribers who are unhappy that the company recently ran an advertisement paid-for by anti-marriage-equality group The Marriage Alliance.
However, representatives for Foxtel said on Facebook, "This decision was not made lightly and was made with the active involvement of senior gay executives."
"We believe this debate should be won by the force of the argument in favour of reform, not by refusing to engage in debate or to allow contrary opinions to be put," they said.
the veronicas' open letter: transcript
Prime Minister Abbott,
We’re here today, speaking to you in front of Australia and the world, to say we need equality NOW and we need change NOW.
The conversation for Marriage Equality is no longer a question of IF but now a question of WHEN. Marriage Equality is inevitable!
Prime Minster, when the cross-party Marriage Equality Bill reaches your hands this week, we ask that you grant your party a conscience vote.
We joined the Marriage Equality rally in Brisbane over the weekend and met a number of the courageous souls who are fighting for equality. We heard their stories and their struggles. They have not lived without moments, years, even a lifetime of feeling confused, feeling different, scared, or unaccepted.
We all deserve the equal rights to marry our partner and to be granted equal dignity in the eyes of the law.
LOVE. IS. EQUAL.
Putting the importance of this simple message into political action will have a profoundly life altering impact on our generation, and all generations to come.
We’ve just arrived back from the USA where Same Sex marriage has been legalised in all 50 states. The example set by government is so powerful and so influential, and that’s why we’re speaking to you today.
Mister Abbott, you have missed the opportunity to become a world revolutionary leader on this matter and now it’s time to align with the growing number of governments who have paved the way for us, and not continue our alignment with governments who persist in restricting equal human rights and social progression for its people and country.
Tradition founded upon laws of discrimination and prejudice does not deserve sanctity in the name of history. It’s time to live in a country that recognises all people as EQUAL.
We believe in celebrating a diverse Australia. We also believe as humans we are all inherently connected and that our similarities far outweigh our differences.
We all experience love. We all experience fear. We all bleed the same way.
The LGBTQI community contributes fully to an economic, social and cultural Australia.
Doctors, teachers, musicians, farmers, army personnel, police officers, sports stars, students, tradespeople, journalists, small business owners, large corporation owners, mums, dads and politicians. And even your own sister, Prime Minister.
We are not fighting for special rights; we are fighting for our equal rights.
The precedent set by our government on Marriage Equality will have the greatest opportunity to erase and heal much discrimination often experienced by LGBTQI youths and adults, simply for who they love.
The legal and institutional framework that governs Australia must treat all people equally and we will not stay quiet until we have reached Full Equality for all!
Prime Minister, why delay for another moment the chance to create a more compassionate, more harmonious and equal Australia?
Jessica & Lisa Origliasso, The Veronicas
