Harry Mc Anulty wants you to vote yes in the federal government’s postal plebiscite on same sex marriage.
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But more importantly, he wants you to be able to vote in the plebiscite.
“It’s definitely about getting people to vote ‘yes’, but over the next nine days the priority will be to get people on the register first and foremost and also to check their address details,” he said.
Mr Mc Anulty was speaking ahead of the first meeting of a push to get out the yes vote in Bendigo and build support for the LGBTI community ahead of what he said was already proving to be a divisive debate.
“We’ve heard comments about bestiality linked to the gay community and for someone like myself who’s quite resilient and can access support when I need to, I really feel for the many young LGBTI people particularly in rural areas who really don’t have that access,” he said.
Campaign participant Tony Langdon, who has been discussing marriage with his partner of 12 years for some time, also urged people in the region to show their support for equal marriage rights for all.
“We’ve actually been talking about marriage for a number of years and we’d like to do it,” he said.
“We’d like to share that with family and friends so going overseas is not an option – even if we had the money, they can't share it.”
And while Mr Langdon said he shared concerns many LGBTI community members had about the legitimacy of the postal vote, he said it was still important equality advocates had their say.
“I agree it’s a waste of money and it’s insulting but I still believe, say yes, have your say, because if we boycott it that just gives the ‘no’ more votes because they’re not going to boycott it,” he said.
“Even if you think ‘I don’t really care, but maybe I’ll support it’, vote yes, every vote counts.
“And if you’re not sure if you’re enrolled to vote, get online, check your enrolment and enrol to vote so you can have a say.”
The yes campaign meeting will be held at the Bendigo Trades Hall on View Street from 6.30pm on Wednesday with all LGBTI community members and supporters welcome.