It’s been four days since I sent this text message to a family member.
“Dear [ ]. I hope you are well. I’m writing to you for a personal reason today. Over the next few days, you will receive a paper in the mail where you’ll be asked to vote on whether same-sex couples will be allowed to marry in Australia. Nick and I have been engaged for four years and together for 10. It would mean so much to us if you and [family member] could vote “yes” so that we can be legally viewed the same way as everyone else. We need 5 million Australians to vote “yes” to win. I hope you can join us in our fight. Thank you. Adam”
This relative has been there since I was in nappies. It wasn't that long ago when my partner and I were in their home having a nice family get-together.
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I have no ties, no personal investment in the LGBTI community, but I'm so saddened everytime I hear friends or acquaintances voting NO. I feel that the world has become less compassionate and less kind with every NO votes
I'm so very sorry your attempt to reach out to family didn't seem to work as you hoped but maybe, just maybe it at least made them think a lil bit more & who knows what they end up deciding to vote. My SS attracted uncle recently sent out a mass family text of an article he had written to a newspaper outlining his reasons for voting No. His argument & opinion was articulate, totally understandable & deeply intelligent but I was still horrified! I immediately replied & over several days we to & fro'd via huge texts, both of us enjoying the debate & being able to put forth our alternative views. We could have both taken a less involved approach & hidden behind a polite facade for many reasons; which is what it appears your family member has chosen to do but I still think if we had not replied to each other we (& other family member's) would still have thought quite hard about the other's opinion & approach, which I heartfeltly hope is what happened in your case! A little bit of thought & kindness goes a long way in this debate (for won't of a better word) & hopefully your reaching out in this manner prompts a little of both. 🤞