relationships

Meet Sue Smith: the Aussie mum who won’t quit until we have marriage equality.

In July last year, Aussies Nick Smith and Joe Murphy tied the knot in New York.

Seventy-five Australians traveled to the Big Apple to attend their wedding, but there was someone very important missing – Nick’s grandmother Jean.

Jean, who was nearly 90, passed away only three months later, having never had the opportunity to see her grandson marry the man he loves on Australian soil.

The trip was too big for Jean, and without marriage equality in Australia, the couple couldn’t bring the wedding to Jean.

Seventy-five Australians traveled to the Big Apple to attend their wedding, but there was someone very important missing - Nick's grandmother Jean. Image supplied.

Now Nick's mum, Sue Smith, is pleading with the Australian Government to make marriage equality a reality, so no other Aussie families or ageing grandparents have to miss out on the most important day of their same-sex relatives lives.

"It's a very emotional time for grandparents and they really want to see their grandchildren getting married," Sue told Mamamia.

"My mother was so disappointed that she never got to see Nick and Joe as a married couple. When I would show her the wedding video or photos she would get very emotional."

Sue got in touch with the Equality Campaign and has since featured in a emotionally powerful video that has been viewed over 394 000 times on Facebook and shared more than 4000 times.

"I wanted to get the message out but I never thought the video would be watched by nearly 400 000 people," she said.

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The trip was too big for Jean, and without marriage equality in Australia, the couple couldn't bring the wedding to Jean. Image supplied.

"I think I've really hit a nerve. There's so many people in the same position and so many people have shared their own story while commenting on the video."

One person commented: "I so want to see my son and his wonderful partner of over 13 years marry. I don't want to miss seeing such a joyous occasion. So many of us dream of seeing our children marry. No one should be able to tell them they can't."

"Last Saturday I watched my son marry the beautiful mother of his children. In August, my daughter will marry her wonderful fiancé. I couldn't be more proud or happy. Every parent should be able to witness the joy of seeing their children marry the "love of their life"...Every child (person) deserves the right to marry "whoever" is the love of their life...Marriage for everyone...Bring it on!" added another. 

Sue has been touched by the amount of people who have reached out and thanked her for spreading this important message and she remains steadfast in her support for marriage equality.

"Changing the marriage act is not going to cost the government one cent, but it'll make a lot of people very happy."

If you have a similar story to tell or you would like to show your support for marriage equality, Sue asks that you get in touch with Australian Marriage Equality or contact your local politicians.