AUSTRALIA: Straight Allies Cover Their Ears During State-Mandated Anti-Gay Section Of Marriage Ceremony

In a gorgeous show of solidarity, some straight allies in Australia have taken to covering their ears during the state-mandated portion of wedding vows that explicitly note that marriage is only between a man and a woman.

Celebrants must tell the gathering: "Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life" - or words to that effect. Increasingly, couples and officiators are joining forces to register their displeasure at the law and its requirements. At Abbey and Mitchell Johnston's wedding in February, guests were asked to cover their ears when celebrant Alison Bartlett read out the offending passage. Mrs Johnston came up with the idea after being informed over Skype that Ms Bartlett would be legally required to make the pronouncement. "That just did not sit easy with me," she told Fairfax Media. "It's a matter of equality. I just can't believe we live in a country where it's OK not to have equal rights for everyone." All attendees at the intimate ceremony enthusiastically blocked their ears, Mrs Johnston said, although they were technically still able to hear the all-important dictum. And Ms Bartlett fulfilled all her statutory duties as a celebrant.

The anti-gay portion was added to the ceremony in 2004. According to the above-linked report, other demonstrations of support have included turning off microphones during that portion of the ceremony or coughing loudly to drown out the line. Some couples have opted to add a statement of support after the required portion has been recited. (Tipped by JMG reader Brenton)

OREGON: Teen Confronts Anti-Gay Haters

When high school junior Makaila Ragan noticed two men waving anti-gay signs outside her mother's Oregon workplace, she decided to do something about it.

"I was so irritated because I see them all around town and all they ever do is make people feel like crap about themselves,” said Ragan, a junior at Tillamook High School. The men were standing outside Eyes of Oregon, on 1st Street and Main Avenue, where her mother works. “I went inside and asked her and her boss if it would be all right if I made a poster that stands up for what I believe in,” she said. “They were totally all for it. So I made a sign that said, ‘I love Gays.’” The two men, said Makaila, began insulting her personally. “They were calling me names, and asking my mom questions, like, ‘How many times did you have to get an abortion before you were able to have your daughter?’ and saying, ‘You’re going to burn in hell right along with your daughter.’ The things they were saying were just awful, but I didn’t let them faze me.”

Makaila's one-person counter-protest was soon joined by many others and eventually more than 40 supporters had shown up to stand next to her with signs of their own. After more than six hours, the haters finally went home. Over on Facebook, Makaila has vowed to return. Her mom says, "Makaila stood up. Boy, did she ever! Look what she did – wow! I’m so, so proud of her." 

(Tipped by JMG reader Jay)