The High Court announced today that it had ruled the ACT laws invalid, which means marriages performed during the "window" the laws were in effect will be annulled.
It's a victory for the Commonwealth, which had appealed against the laws.
There were audible gasps from supporters of the same-sex marriage laws, who were awaiting the decision outside the court, although the general reaction was that the result was disappointing but not unexpected.
NSW marriage celebrant Trish Cunningham told 1233 ABC Newcastle's Craig Zonca of her reaction to the decision. (listen to attached audio)
She officiated at the wedding of one of 27 couples who used the law to tie the knot in Canberra after it came into effect last weekend.
"I actually feel really shattered, not just for those couples but for Australian democracy and equal rights," Trish says.
"It's just totally wrong as far as I'm concerned."
Trish is particularly upset that so many couples had their hopes raised only to see them dashed.
"I just can't understand why they allowed this window period to happen and build up people's hopes," she says.
"Surely the High Court could have made the decision last week instead of giving people this window of opportunity, which they took up, and just to drag them back down again, it's just wrong.
"I just personally feel very, very devastated today.
"I think shame on them, that's all I can say."
Trish says one of the women whose wedding she officiated at is devastated, while the other is sad but resolute and says despite the laws being thrown out her partner will remain "completely my wife in every way".
Trish says celebrants had rushed to get the paperwork in so the same-sex marriages performed at the weekend could be registered.
"We all went to great lengths to have this happen, and tried to move mountains for these beautiful couples," she says.
In a summary of its judgment, the High Court said it was up to Federal Parliament to decide whether same-sex marriages should be legal.
No comments:
Post a Comment