Equality Of Opportunity Vs Opinion - Same Sex Marriage.

We are in the midst of a Marriage Law Postal Survey at the moment, being given the option to vote on whether Same Sex Couples should be allowed to marry in Australia.

This weekend, the Coalition for Marriage held a conference in which the topic of same-sex marriage equality was twisted into a tirade on the future effects of freedom of opinion or speech if we allow same sex marriage equality.

We have decided to draw a graph illustrating what we are actually discussing in the SSM (Same Sex Marriage) debate.

Equality of Opportunity means, everyone has the same options ahead of them, that they are able to pursue outcomes with an equal footing from where they start. Now, there is equality of opportunity surrounding your ability to have whatever opinion you might care to have. The vote will not change your right to disagree with same sex marriage, or heterosexual marriage, or global warming. If you choose to have an opinion about any of these matters, you are free to do so.

What we are actually being asked to give our opinions on, is whether or not same-sex couples should be afforded equal RIGHTS. Rights that are already available to heterosexual couples and are currently only denied to same sex couples based on their sexuality. Not on whether or not they are fit to be in a relationship, make independent grown up decisions or have great hair. It is simply because they are in relationships with people of the same sex.

This is not the beginning of a decline into polygamy, or people marrying animals, or religious fundamentalists who don't like same sex marriage being locked up for their opinions. It is about simply providing equality of opportunity to an institution that already exists in Australia right now.

At the Just Be Nice Project we strongly support a Yes to equality of opportunity, a Yes to same-sex marriage, and of course a yes to people to have their own opinions. We believe that if you are of the 'No' persuasion, perhaps refrain from voting. You are not voting for a right to your own opinion (as you can see from the graph, you already have that), you are actively voting against equal rights for people who have had to have the viability of their relationships debated in an open forum, by people who aren't even in those relationships.

Look after each other, vote yes, and as always, Just Be Nice.

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