As legislators returned to the Australian capital, Canberra, Sunday they were welcomed with a clear message at the airport; the terminal was lit up in rainbow colors and a huge sign broadcasting “#WeCanDoThis.” This week, Australian Parliament is set to debate a new marriage equality bill with cross-party support.
The Canberra Times reported that high-profile Australians, including AFL players Josh Bruce and Matt Spangher, actor Hugo Weaving and television news reader Chris Bath are featuring in ads to be broadcast from Sunday, calling on Parliament to stop stalling on the issue.
“Our ad campaign showcases the diversity of support for marriage equality with farmers, football players, priests and parents all coming together to urge Canberra to embrace marriage equality,” Australian Marriage Equality National Director, Rodney Croome said. “Support for marriage equality has never been stronger and with the cross-party bill to be introduced this week we have never had a better chance to achieve the reform.”
The Snow family, which owns and operates Canberra’s airport, have become the latest businesspeople to join more than 500 organizations in urging Parliament to endorse marriage equality once and for all.
Canberra Airport managing director Stephen Byron told Fairfax Media the light display was aimed at supporting the end of “ridiculous” discrimination against same sex couples, including his brother Tom Snow, who married his husband Brooke Horne in New Zealand last year. The couple have three children.
