Dancing Queens

As the Australian Parliament decides to not allow a vote on same sex marriage, you realise what it is like for many people in our world to have decisions made for them. It was only in 1967 that England & Wales decriminalised same sex relationships and the tide was turned. It’s an extraordinary story when you consider that only 13 years earlier Alan Turing, the extraordinary mathematician immortalised by Benerdict Cumberpatch in the Imitation Game, was chemically castrated, treatment he received rather than face prison for being, wait for it, gay. This man was a national hero having dedicated his war years to incredible work that turned the war in the allies favour. His reward in the treatment he received in 1952 was a disgrace on our nation. It is likely he committed suicide in 1954.

I wonder where we, where you, draw the line on your disagreement in principle on something which someone else enjoys in peace, love and harmony? Is our distaste of sexual or religious or race so strong that our very humanity is turned on its head?

The Australian Government is just one of many countries powers that feel same sex is an issue that deserves to divide, rather than embracing a loving relationship in marriage as a stable to build on. In a world where hate and separation cause people such devastation, I am saddened for those in Australia affected by this decision.

Alan Turing, we salute you. Your bravery was treated inhumanely and the stain of it remains on our nation. Let us strive to go forward with love and inclusion and let this be the testimony to his early death.

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