• Burnie teachers reveals pain of mothers not being able to marry
• Guy Barnett wrong to dismiss equality as “Green agenda”
• tomorrow’s University BBQ to inform students how to vote for marriage equality

Advocates for a Tasmanian same-sex marriage law have made a final bid for support in Saturday’s Upper House election with the powerful story of a Tasmanian man raised by two mothers

45,000 flyers will be distributed in the days leading up to the election that feature an open letter from Burnie teacher, Nick Outterside, who last year asked the Upper House to allow his mothers “to be united in marriage” before they were “parted forever” by the terminal cancer then affecting one of his mothers who has since died.

Mr Outterside said,

“I am not usually a public person but I wanted to share my story so people can see this isn’t ultimately about the Bible or the Constitution, it’s about real people in real families who share a very real love.”

“Our politicians say there are more urgent issues than marriage equality but for families like mine marriage equality can’t wait.”

Marriage equality advocate, Rodney Croome, praised Mr Outterside’s bravery for bearing his soul to tens of thousands of strangers.

“Saturday’s Upper House election is one of those rare occasions when ordinary people can make a real difference by voting for a fairer and more inclusive future.”

“I urge my fellow Tasmanians to vote for candidates who support marriage equality and show the world Tasmania has a heart.”

Another flyer also being distributed this week features Kevin and David, an older Tasmanian couple who ask that the law catch up with the fact they are married in all but name.

Earlier this month marriage equality advocates distributed over 40,000 flyers featuring other Tasmanian same-sex couples and their families.

A copy of Mr Outterside’s letter is below, as are copies of the flyers to be distributed in the electorate of Nelson (other electorates will receive varients of these flyers).

Meanwhile Mr Croome rubbished claims made in 35,000 flyers to be distributed this week by former Liberal Senator, Guy Barnett, and his “Save Marriage Coalition”.

“Guy Barnett is wrong to dismiss marriage equality as part of the Green agenda given this mainstream reform has the support of prominent Liberals like NSW premier, Barry O’Farrell, former Victorian premier, Jeff Kennett, and Melbourne Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle.”

“He is also mistaken to say that jobs and the economy should come first when economists agree this reform will bring $100 million and hundreds of jobs to Tasmania.”

Tomorrow the University of Tasmania’s QSoc will hold a BBQ outside the Morris Miller Library from 11am to 2pm to urge students to vote for marriage equality. The three Nelson candidates who support marriage equality – independent, Helen Richardson, the Greens’, Tom Baxter, and independent liberal, Hans Willink – will be present at 12 midday.

QSoc president, Jackson Tegg, said,

“According to last year’s EMRS poll over 90% of young Tasmanians support marriage equality and we want to ensure university students know how their vote can achieve reform at a state level.”

The University of Tasmania’s main campus is in the Upper House electorate of Nelson, which together with Pembroke and Montogomery go to the polls on Saturday.

The Tasmanian Same-Sex Marriage Bill was defeated by two votes in the Upepr House last year. The sitting members in Nelson, Pembroke and Montgomery were against the Bill. Almost all the challenging candidates in Saturday’s election support marriage equality. For more click here.

For further information contact Nicholas Outterside on 0404 427 929, Jackson Tegg on 0414 988 184 or Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

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OPEN LETTER TO TASMANIAN VOTERS

My name is Nicholas Outterside.

I’m writing to you about an issue that’s important to me and my family.

Last year, during the same-sex marriage debate, I spoke to the Tasmanian Upper House about how I was raised by two loving mums who had been together for 35 years.

I told Upper House members that one of my mothers was terminally ill, and I asked them to allow my mums to be united in marriage before death parted them forever.

Sadly, the majority didn’t open their hearts to the importance of marriage to my family.

Now the deep love and commitment shared by my mothers will never be recognised for what it really was – a devoted marriage.

This is a regret I will always carry, not least on the day I marry the woman I love.
It simply makes no sense to me that the two people who taught me what commitment means could never marry like I can.

As a teacher, I also worry about what message it sends our children when the law says some people have fewer rights just because of who they love.

I hear people say marriage equality can wait, but not for families like mine.

I hear people declare there are constitutional issues, when the real issue is their lack of empathy.

Please let families like mine have the same respect and recognition as any other family.

Vote for a candidate who will treat all Tasmanians equally and who wants our state to take the lead on marriage equality.

Nicholas Outterside,
Burnie
Marriage equality advocate Rodney Croome