True love stories never have endings

OUR MARRIAGE OUR LOVE

Chris & Ivan

We had not taken advantage of the various civil partnership options available to us locally, despite providing some legal recognition. Those terms didn’t resonate positively within me. They reminded me that we weren’t equal, that we were lesser. That we had to take crumbs, rather than be entitled to the cake. They motivated me to work to change the laws, rather than use the existing ones.

In 2013 the ACT decided to do what it could, within what it thought it’s capacity was, to provide what no other jurisdiction had. It wasn’t federal equality but, for my Nan, who had presided over an informal commitment ceremony years beforehand, it was marriage, finally. My Nan didn’t live long enough to see marriage equality achieved in Australia, but she was able to see her grandson marry the love of his life, surrounded by family and friends and, for a matter of days and as far as she knew, we were married.

Nathaniel & Matthew

Getting married for us wasn’t about the word, and it wasn’t about how other people defined us as a couple; for us, there was one simple truth that started us on this journey — we wanted children. Until the recent same-sex marriage vote that spurned the nation and divided families, heterosexual marriage provided greater ‘next of kin’ protections than civil unions or civil partnerships, especially in the cases of children.

At the time Australia still did not validate our relationship, nor would it identify us both with equal rights over our future children, we endeavoured to marry using the greatest loophole in this country’s legal system — Dual Citizenship. Matt and I are both dual citizens of UK descent, as such we navigated the legalities of getting married under British Law, rather than Australian Law — at that time Great Britain had legalised same-sex marriage for all UK citizens, including citizens in other countries. As part of the Commonwealth, Australia was forced to provide the same-sex UK and Dual Citizens with recognised marriages in High Commissions around Australia, despite having not legalised same-sex marriage for its own people.

We are proud to be Australian and proud to be married!

Jo & Erin

My amazing wife Jo and I were married on the 4th of January this year in Cape Canaveral, Florida. We had the most extraordinarily beautiful day which we shared with some of our most favourite people. Our ceremony was written entirely by us and reflected our unique personalities and kookiness. We feasted on Mexican and drunk jugs of margaritas and Sangria, sang and danced.

It was so empowering to know that when we returned to Australia, our marriage was recognised by law. Our marriage and love being equally valued and it’s significance recognised under Australian law is the most amazing feeling. Love is love.

Alice & Amanda

We got married by the sea on a Saturday and we could not have asked for a more perfect day. We were so glad we could legally get married. We were surrounded by our family and friends who made our day even more special.

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