This Australian songwriter has penned a perfect song about equal marriage

An Australian composer has released a song that perfectly captures the LGBT community’s mood on equal marriage.

Later this month Australians will be asked to vote on whether same-sex couples deserve the right to marriage, in a controversial public vote pushed forward by right-wing Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

The postal vote, which is informal and not regulated by any law, is going ahead without permission from Parliament under Mr Turnbull’s orders, under the jurisdiction of the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Mr Turnbull has been strongly criticised for demanding the vote, which is seen as a ploy to placate the anti-LGBT lobby within his own party under threat of a leadership challenge.

Ahead of the vote, young Australian composer Josh Belperio has released a song taking Turnbull to task directly.

He sings: “Oh, I know it must be hard to lead the government of Australia, when some aren’t comfortable with loving couples who have matching genitalia.

“I know you’re trying to do what’s best to advance your own self-interest, stay in power for at least another day.”

“Well Malcolm please forgive me if I sound a bit irate, but messing with the tenets of our democratic state is a high price to pay, so put down that rosé.”

Mr Belperio sings: “We don’t need a plebiscite to bestow a human right.

“Malcs I know there’s pressure on your Right, but even so this isn’t right.

“Why hold a plebiscite? An expensive and offensive shite way to change a law which you could change with a simple vote and nothing more.”

He adds: “I wonder would your position change if you exchanged places with someone LGBTQI or A? In schoolyards and churches are youth are bismirched by a system that hurts through casual slurs, thoughtless words, ’till they learn to internalise shame, wear the blame, believe their love is a sin, a sign of the devil within.

“Well I can’t begin to imagine the further hurt this will cause to be having this discourse not behind closed doors.

“These are our lives you’re dragging through the media. Our families, our partners, our pride. Is it easier to haul us through hate just to hang onto power than fulfil you mandate you intimidated coward?”

The song later shifts to encourage people to vote Yes if the postal plebiscite goes ahead.

The singer adds: “If you’re gonna hold a plebiscite, then I’m gonna rally, march and fight ’till I know I can hold my partner’s hand without a sense of fear. And one day we will stand as man and man, when the dust from your government’s swept up, and the whole will only wonder what it is we had to fight to stand right here.

“Bring on your plebiscite, we’re no stranger to a hefty fight. We’re stronger than your party might expect, and we won’t back down and won’t defect.

“Though the concept of it isn’t right, we won’t be fazed by hate and heartlessness. So even though it’s wrong we will vote ‘yes’.”

The song has more than 140,000 views on Facebook.

One commenter wrote: “Good on you all this is amazing. I will vote YES even though it is my democratic right to marry whoever and whenever I want. Just like any other person in this country and worldwide.”

A legal challenge against the public vote plan began today.

The challenge, brought by LGBT activists, could see the vote blocked if the High Court rules that it is not within the government’s authority to demand.

• Dec 31 2024

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