Mr Gay NZ urges public to ramp up same-sex marriage pressure
Mr Gay New Zealand is calling on the public to throw their support behind same-sex marriage in a bid to build pressure on Australian politicians to hurry up and make a decision.
Posing on Instagram wearing nothing but a pair of distinctive AussieBum Equality underwear which were made in support of the Australian Marriage Equality Campaign, Matt Fistonich said Australia needs marriage equality.
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“I think it’s important that we show support for the LGBTI community in Australia no matter where you are in the world and whether or not it affects you directly,” he said.
“New Zealand and Australia are obviously extremely competitive towards each other, however marriage equality needs to be removed from the list of bragging rights New Zealand has over Australia.”
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Fistonich, who represented New Zealand at the Mr Gay World titles in Cape Town South Africa was crowned the competition winner in April and has since worked closely with numerous LGBT charities and organisations in New Zealand.
But he is passionate about equality and still can’t believe that New Zealand’s nearest neighbour has not caught up with the times that his own country decided on more than two years ago.
“Since the decisions to legalise same-sex marriage in both Ireland and the United States, the spotlight has really gone on Australia to make the right decision and bring a change to its now outdated law,” he said.
“I believe the law change would bring Australia in line with other progressive nations that value the rights and freedoms of its citizens.”
Attitude reported last month a cross-party bill is likely to be presented in the Australian Parliament in the coming sitting fortnight.
Fistonich said that people need to put their own personal beliefs and opinions aside when it comes to voting on marriage equality.
“I know this issue can challenge the thinking of some people, but I have some really good friends in Australia, both gay and straight, and I just hope that before too long they will all have the same rights to love each other and marry as we do here in New Zealand,” he said.
“It is my strong opinion that despite anyone’s reasons for not supporting marriage equality, whether it be for your own personal views or religious beliefs, it does not, and should not give you the right to discriminate against and inhibit other people’s freedoms.”
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Words by TROY NANKERVIS.