'2014 to be year of same-sex marriage'

Ivan Hinton, a same-sex marriage campaigner, was briefly married to his partner, Chris Teoh, under gay marriage laws passed by the ACT government.

However, that marriage was annulled when the High Court unanimously struck down the law last month, ruling it in contravention of the Commonwealth Marriage Act.

The debate over same-sex marriage has prompted a meeting of gay advocacy group Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) in Wagga. 

The meeting is meant to “reignite” the group within the Riverina and gay marriage will be the number one agenda item once the group is reformed.

Mr Hinton said PFLAG is an anti-discrimination organisation designed to stamp out homophobia.

“We are still dealing with prejudice and discrimination in regional Australia and it needs to be addressed actively,” he said.

In November, proponents of gay marriage and those in favour of traditional marriage held a dual rally on Baylis Street.

“I would encourage any member of the public who wants to live in a society that is free to engage with this somehow,” Mr Hinton said.

He said he is confident the legitimacy of gay marriage would be recognised in due course.

“I think it is only a matter of time and 2014 is going to be a pivotal year for marriage equality in Australia because more people than ever are becoming motivated to help.”

Mr Hinton said the High Court’s ruling was motivation to push on with his cause for gay marriage.

“We thought the High Court gave us a really positive instruction,” he said.

“They recognised in other jurisdictions that marriage existed between same-sex people.

“They weren’t totally resistant to the idea of marriage equality and that for us was a win.”

As Marriage Equality Australia’s spokesperson to global media, Mr Hinton said the world was watching in awe when the High Court slapped down the laws.

“Much of the engagement I had with the Western speaking world was one of shock that marriage equality didn’t survive,” he said.

“It was definitely a very hard road to get to that point.”