Adele Fisher: Child's Play

Adele Fisher talks to the experts on same-sex relationships: Miss B and Master C!

There have been a number of statements made recently, by people such as Peter Madden, in an attempt to justify the opposition to same-sex marriage. Their focus is on the “poor innocent children” of the world and the perceived harm that would come to them through the legalising of same-sex marriage.

I’ll overlook the fact that there seems to be little to no recognition from these people that there are plenty of children being raised by parents in same-sex relationships. It is laughable to consider that by not allowing equal recognition of same-sex relationships that this will in some way result in children not being part of our families and our families not being part of society. It’s too late—we’re here. With this in mind I decided the time had come to interview my children and provide you with their viewpoint on the topic.

What would you say to the prime minister about your mums not being allowed to get married?

Miss B: It’s not fair and they should be able to.
Master C: Look around, it’s OK. If boys and girls can get married, why not other people?

How does it make you feel that your mums can’t get married?  

Miss B: Sad and a little bit angry.
Master C: Sad and I don’t know why they can’t.

If you could talk to the people who are going to decide this year whether or not to allow same-sex marriage what would you say?

Miss B: It’s vital that same sex marriage should be allowed. It would make a lot of difference for the world and it would be fun.
Master C: I am sad, cross and annoyed. Nice people should be allowed to get married.

Why is it important to you that your mums are able to get married?

Miss B and Master C: It would make us happy and the government would let our family be like others.

Can you tell me the difference between us getting married and civil unions?

Miss B and Master C: Civil unions are not getting married. It’s sort of married but not quite. It’s just not the same.

Did you know that some people want to remove civil unions?

Miss B: What?  Why?  Gee, they are mean. Why take that away? It’s like bullying.
Master C: I don’t like it when people take away things, lots of people won’t like it.

How would you feel if your mums could get married?  

Miss B and Master C: Excited, happy, can’t wait, very, very, super-duper, happy!

I too would feel excited, happy, very, very, super-duper happy myself. So, perhaps all the political opponents of same-sex marriage could spend less time lamenting the flawed reasons why something shouldn’t happen and take a simple approach: make it happen, and then get on with governing the country and state.