… TO COMMEMORATE 1ST ANNIVERSAY OF THEIR MARRIAGES, MEDIA WELCOME

From 7 December 2013 Australian same-sex couples were able to marry under the ACT’s Marriage Equality (Same-Sex) Act.

Five days later, on 12 December, the law was overturned in the High Court, voiding 31 marriages that had taken place.

Aware of the approaching anniversary a New York based advertising company, Razorfish, created a worldwide “Five Days of Equality” social media campaign which called on the world’s online community to celebrate equality coming to the ACT, albeit briefly.

The campaign appeared on www.mashable.com and www.buzzfeed.com, and was even shared by international celebrity George Takei.

Razorfish has arranged for 6,000 of the most touching messages of love and support to be printed on cards donated by Smudge Ink.

Tonight these cards will be presented to several of the couples by Alex Reinoso from Razorfish, New York, at the Nishi Gallery, 17 Kendall Lane, New Acton.

ACT Deputy Chief Minister Simon Corbell will also be attending the function.

Media is welcome to attend the event.

Quotes from several couples are below:

Brendon Condon said “The project raises mixed feelings. I’m incredibly touched and hopeful for our collective future, and the future of marriage equality but I can’t help feeling deep sorrow with the knowledge that the project is only significant because our Government actively delegitimised our unions. This Project is a great act of love but it’s reactive to a profound and active disrespect to our relationships.”

Glenda Lloyd said, “The project has helped us celebrate a significant time in our lives. The outpouring of love and support from people we’ve never met from around Australia and around the world has meant so much to both of us.”

Alan Player said, “During an emotional week it was overwhelming to see the outpouring of support coming from around the world. It was heartening to see that, while our family and friends were celebrating our love and commitment, so was countless thousands of people from all corners of the earth.”

Michelle Stockwell said, “Celebrating our marriage is not just about celebrating our love and commitment to each other, it also resonates with the love and commitment we have for our family, friends and future generations of rainbow marriages.”
Alan Player (responsible for coordinating the event), Brendon Condon, Glenda Lloyd