An Open Letter to the Governor General

From: "Robert Miller"
To: <governor-general@gg.gov.au>
Subject: Same Sex Debate
Date: Wed, 07 Jun 2006 12:24:51 +1000

Your Excellency,

I am writing to you regarding the debate on the recognition of same sex relationships.

I am a 37 year old man.

I am a contributing member of society.

I earn good money and I pay my taxes.

I have three degrees. I contribute to charities. I do community volunteer work. I play sport.

I value my friends and family.  I look after my mother (who is getting on now). I believe that making a long term commitment to a single partner is an important part of life and that this partnership contributes to society as a whole as well as to my own personal happiness.

But because I am gay, my relationship is not recognised by the government of my country. Why is the love I feel for my partner seen as second class?

I don't need the word marriage. The word is not important to me. I am not looking for tax breaks or benefits. What is important to me is being able to stand up and say publicly:

"I choose this to be with this person. This is my partner, and I will stand by them for all of my life"

I want to be able to say that, and have that recognised by my friends, family and my society.

My society expects the same things of me that expects of straight people. I am expected to contribute and engage the same ways, but I am not given the same recognition.

What I don't understand in all of this debate is, why would recognition of my relationship, of my love and commitment to another person, going to in anyway degrade the recognition of straight relationships.

I hope you are prepared to hear what I am saying and that you take it into account when the federal government attempts to have the ACT's Civil Union laws over turned.

Thank you,

R