Olivia Newton-John greases wheels for gay marriage
Olivia Newton-John is backing the Australian national organisation, Australian Marriage Equality, and the campaign towards equal marriage rights.
Newton-John has joined the string of famous Australians in support of the campaign, which includes actor, Hugh Jackman, film critics David Stratton and costume designer, Margaret Pomeranz, Lizzy Gardiner.
The ‘Physical’ singer said: “With respect to marriage equality I believe that no one has the right to judge and deny couples who love each other the ability to make a marriage commitment.
“Love is love.”
This statement by the Grease actress, comes shortly ahead of a sold-out fundraising dinner for AME, which will see director and screenwriter, Stephan Elliot, announce more support from other high-ranking Australians.
Alex Greenwich, Australian Marriage Equality National Convener, is pleased with the growing support by these prominent figures:
“Australians admire celebrities like Olivia Newton-John and Hugh Jackman because they reflect our values of tolerance and a fair go for all, values which they are reminding us apply just as much to same-sex couples as to other Australians.”
As well as the dinner, there will be an auction, which includes prizes donated by Olivia Newton-John, Kylie Minogue, Icon Films, GetUP, Lady Gaga and others.
The dinner is not the only support for marriage equality in Australia this week, as Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is to announce a fresh bid to push through a bill she introduced in 2009 which would legalise gay marriage.
She reportedly was confident of the support for such a bill, but was looking to discuss the practical implications of legalising gay marriage.
Hanson-Young said: “I’m not interested in stunts. I’m interested in getting the law changed.”
A backbencher for the Australian Labour party, Stephen Jones is also expected to introduce a bill to legalise same-sex marriage, and despite being accepted by the party, who recently changed their stance to support gay marriage, it is expected to be quashed by opposition.
Supporters of marriage equality remain hopeful of coalition MPs being granted a conscience vote on the issue.
Gay marriage is currently illegal in Australia, whilst civil unions are allowed in some states.
Olivia Newton-John appeared on the popular American television series Glee, singing a duet of her most famous hit ‘Physical’ with lesbian actress Jane Lynch.
As well as being an actor and singer, Newton-John was also the president of the Isle of Man Basking Shark Society.
