Forty five years ago today on a chilly Spring morning in England my brother aged five and I aged eight pulled on purple velvet trousers. Long sleeved shirts featuring a small floral motif in shades of purple, lilac and lavender against a white background and cravats completed the outfit. Later that day in 1972 we would parade down the aisle of the Church of the Redeemer in Birmingham with our mother as she took the hand of my first step father. This was the beginning of a decade and a half of an abusive relationship that at its lowest point saw us experience the despair of living in a ‘battered wives home’. Marriage vows didn’t hold much weight with this step father.
Seventeen years ago today on a chilly Autumn day in Australia my partner aged thirty seven and I aged thirty six stood in our underwear as our torsos were smeared in Vaseline and glitter. White faux fur boots, shorts and polar bear heads and arms completed the outfit. Later that day we would parade up Oxford Street onboard the Noah’s Ark float with hundreds of other people celebrating diversity and calling for equality as part of Sydney Mardi Gras 2000.
Under UK law and being British subjects we were able to marry at the Consulate in Sydney in 2014. Our non-abusive marriage is not recognised in Australia. The choice of entering a loving same sex marriage is not available to our Australian friends.
Happy Mardi Gras 2017.
theINFP 
I’m sure Australia will adopt same sex marriage one day. They just need to think about it a bit longer but when they’re sure they’re sure. When that happens you should make sure you’ve become a Registrar so you can do marriages at all the extra venues it will probably open.
Hugs
What a great idea, David, I have been thinking about a career change.
Great photo and story behind it. Here’s hoping Australia follows suit with the UK and US and you’re able to marry soon. Cheers!
Thank you, Walter, New Zealand too is ahead of Australia in this respect.
Thanks for sharing, Robert. Sadly we still have a long way to go to ensure simple fairness and inclusion for all. Peace.
Thank you, Frank. You are one of the enlightened 😊
Hooray for you two. You are helping those coming along after you. Prayers of thanksgiving for your courage to choose commitment and for many blessings for you in your married life together.
Thank you, Eileen.
It’s so awful that it’s not legal here, I’m so glad you were able to marry at the Consulate though. Love the float photo – guessing the polar bear head was very light or you’d still be in physio 😉 ?!
Happy Mardi Gras Robert. I’m up the coast, watching the weather…
Yes the head was not too heavy, there was also a metal frame that sat on our shoulders. It is always great to hear from you, Annie..
An unfortunate situation in Australia, which I find surprising because it is not the image I have of that country. Our situation in Canada changed in 1997.
We considered moving to Canada in 1998, Australia was a tad ahead on the climate front, sadly in retrospect.
Though in recent years Australia appears to have extreme climate now.
It certainly seems to be getting hotter
Love the polar bear costumes btw. Love to you and your husband.
Thank you. We count ourselves very fortunate to have the opportunity of being on the float.
Happy March and Happy Autumn to you, Robert!
Thank you, it’s good to hear from you 😊
I find it extraordinary as you do Australia which is known for its joviality doesn’t allow this- yet.
Their progressive accomplishments was one of the reasons we moved to Australia. Sadly even the UK has taken over in being more accepting.