After 18 years together, designer Jayson Brunsdon and his
partner Aaron Elias Brunsdon have a two-year-old son named
Roman, share the same surname and call each other husband.
Yet despite these credentials, they’re not married – because
they’re not legally allowed. For Jayson, 52, and Aaron, 44, the
arrival of their son by surrogate in 2015 made Australia’s refusal
to recognise same-sex marriage all the more challenging.
“I don’t want my child to grow up in a country where his
parents are not accepted in society – it’s like we’re second-class
citizens,” says Aaron. The couple have never considered saying
“I do” overseas. “This is where we live and where our family and
friends are. We wouldn’t want to go anywhere else because we
don’t feel it’s fair,” says Jayson. When gay marriage is legalised,
the couple will wed immediately. “I have a vision of Roman
walking down the aisle with us, holding the rings,” says Aaron.
“It will be something we’ve been waiting a very long time for.” PHOTOGRAPHED BY GEORGES ANTONI. JAYSON’S HAIR & MAKEUP BY PETER BEARD/THE ARTIST GROUP, PROP STYLIST LYDIA-JANE SAUNDERS. JAYSON WEARS HIS OWN CLOTHES. AARON WEARS ACNE STUDIOS STRIPE KNIT, JEANS AND SHOES HIS OWN. ROMAN WEARS MUNSTER PANTS AT KIDDO STORE, KNIT HIS OWN. THELMA STYLED BY JANA POKORNY, HAIR BY DAREN BORTHWICK/THE ARTIST GROUP, MAKE-UP BY LINDA JEFFERYES/THE ARTIST GROUP. THELMA WEARS ROMANCE WAS BORN FRINGED TOP. CARLA’S HAIR & MAKE-UP BY SARAH TAMMER/VIVIENS CREATIVE. CARLA WEARS CARLA ZAMPATTI COAT, DOLCE & GABBANA SUNGLASSESJJJJJ
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Jayson Brundson
(at back, standing)
with his partner Aaron
and their son Roman.46 marieclaire.com.auREPORTAGE