Younger generation says yes
IRISH backpacker Emma Sheridan, 25, is firmly on the “yes” side.
Her own country, the Republic of Ireland, legalised same- sex marriage in 2015.
“We only have one shot at it on Earth. Why can’t we be happy? You should be allowed to marry who you want,” she said.
Heterosexual Emma said the legalisation of gay marriage had resulted in less violence against homosexuals.
“It’s better. There’s not the gay bashing there used to be. It’s a happier place. I have family friends who are gay and who are now married. They are very happy. It was the happiest day ever for Ireland when gay people could marry,” she said.
Danielle Murphy, 25, from Dublin is heterosexual and working on a farm at Clare in the Burdekin. She said Australia should vote for same sex marriage “because other people should not be able to dictate who you marry”.
She said gay people used to be afraid and were picked on at school. She said now you see “15- year- old boys walking along holding hands”.
UK citizen Martin Hand, 30, from Stoke- on- Trent, is heterosexual and travelling the world.
“I don’t have a problem with same- sex marriage. I have friends who are gay. I’ve met people from all walks of life. If that little bit of paper that says ‘ marriage’ makes them happy and consolidates their life, then let them have it,” he said.
Specialist tradesmen Sam Thompson, 31, Kyle Gaston, 18, and Callan Hutchinson, 33, were working on the repair of a water supply tank at Giru this week. The Townsville Bulletin caught up with them while they were having lunch at Mick Parison’s store.
Sam: “The ‘ yes’ vote is pretty close to my heart. I’ve got a gay brother so I will be voting 100 per cent yes. It’s an outdated mindset to go against it. There is an overwhelming feeling to have it legalised. Everyone is equal,” he said.
Kyle: “I’m voting yes. They are all Australians. They should be equal.”
Callan: “I’ll vote ‘ yes’ but I’m not happy the Government is spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a postal vote. I don’t know why the Government didn’t have the courage to legalise it on its own.”