#samesexmarriagesurvey

[w0lf0fshad0w]

We got a yes!

We did, it was a great first step but it was still a first step. I’m not going to sleep easy until we have actual legislation to back it up. I’m still exhausted, made worse by be barely 2 hours of sleep I got last night because of this.

But... we got a yes! Sure, it was less than 62% of the people that voted, I wish it had been more. With more I wouldn’t be able to assume that they would use the argument that since less than 50% (just under 49% actually) of the total voting population voted yes it doesn’t reflect the majority decision.

I wish the 20+% of eligible voters that didn’t bother replying to the survey, which was literally ticking a box and walking it to a post box, had actually voted.

I wish there weren’t excuses that they can make.

I live in one of the highest yes electives in Australia, I love that I live here, I love that I have the privilege of a job and an education that lets me live here and not constantly second guess how I live but there are a lot of people that don’t have that. There are a lot of people that still have to fight every day to keep their head above water.

This isn’t done until those people don’t have to worry about things any more.

I’ve been that person. It sucks. Lets change things for them.

[w0lf0fshad0w]

I’m not ready for the result tomorrow.

If it’s a yes I don’t want to deal with the inevitable let down when it comes to legislation and if its a no...

I don’t want to think about what it will be like if it is a no.

This ‘debate’ is the first time in my life that it’s gotten to me. A few people here and there telling you that you’re somehow worth less than them just for the fact that your orientation doesn’t match theirs never made me feel like shit but thousands of people doing it? Yeah, that made me feel less than human.

I don’t even want to get married, but I will fight tooth and nail for the people that want to be. And I did, the whole way through this and you know what... it was exhausting. I’ve blocked people, removed apps from my phone, stopped engaging with the internet completely at one point, argued with complete strangers on the street that were ‘expressing an opinion’ and now it’s all here in my head. Running in circles. Not letting me sleep.

Because I had faith that a decent chunk of people weren’t horrible before this and now... now that faith is gone. I’ve seen so many people hiding behind religion or values or misinformation that I can’t give them the benefit of the doubt any more.

I’m tired of fighting. I’m tired of giving a shit. But I’m still going to walk to work with the small amount of rainbow that my work dress code will allow me and try to overcome my pessimism because that’s what I’m expected to do. That’s what I’m meant to do. But I’m so fucking exhausted by all of this that all I want to do is curl up in bed and pretend it isn’t happening at all.

[metallic-butterfly]

I can't explain how breathe taking it was to see this wall, to see al the names of supporters, couples, and other folk who also say "yes". It's something that helps remind you that your not alone you are all working through this difficult time together, and I'm glad I have such amazing friends to do it with. As we stood there in front of a seemingly simple but incredibly powerful wall people walked and drove past and gave a supportive smile, or understanding nod. I even somehow managed to acquire a complete strangers dog during the photo but I was totally ok with that. The next few days will be tough for many of us, so please send a message, take your friend out for coffee, check in and say hi especially on Wednesday. Whether or not this vote is in our favour it should never have come to this and it's a long road ahead. Many people we love and care for are hurting and sometimes we find that someone we love may not be as supportive of this as we thought they would be and that can really really hurt. To all my friends out there, I'm here, I'll listen, I love you and I'm thinking of you. #postalvote #ourriggtsourchoice #samesexmarriagesurvey #yeswall #weallneedlove #rainbowfamily (at Seddon Deadly Sins Cafe)