Marriage equality isn’t an issue Thelma Plum can stay silent
on. “I identify as being attracted to women as well as men,”
admits the Indigenous singer. “And I would love to be able
to marry a woman, as easily as I could marry a man.”
The triple j Unearthed discovery is a passionate
supporter of the issue, for herself and her family. Earlier
this year, her aunt came out as a lesbian. “She said it was
something that she had been covering up for a long time,”
says Plum, 22. “We’re so happy for her.” Yet their joy is
dampened by the government’s position on gay marriage,
which Plum views as being no different to the law that
required Indigenous Australians to receive permission to
marry prior to 1961. “Back then I wouldn’t have been able to
marry a white person. It’s like we still haven’t learnt. This is
not some trendy issue – people’s lives are being affected.”
Carla Zampatti emigrated from Italy to
Australia when she was nine years old.
Last year, Italy – a nation dominated by
the Roman Catholic Church – passed
legislation recognising same-sex civil
unions. The reality that this is yet to occur
in Australia stuns the fashion industry
icon: “Although we pride ourselves on
being open, that is not always the case.”
Now 74, Zampatti hopes to see Australia
follow in Italy’s footsteps and catch up
with the majority of English speaking
countries around the world who have
endorsed marriage equality. “If a gay
couple want to get married to celebrate
their relationship, then they should have
that option,” she says. Simple.CCAAARRLLAAAA ZZZAAAMMMMMPPPPPPPAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTIII