To Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull,
I am aware of the controversy this topic causes, and I am aware of the pressure you are under with arguments from both sides. I am also aware that you have already heard from children of same sex parents, as they visited Parliament house in Canberra the other day as 'Rainbow Families'.
However I am sadly also aware that you did not listen, not even to a 13 year old boy named Eddie Blewett who asked you a question (formally presented to you in Parliament by Tanya Plibersek): "Why should people who barely know us make an assumption on our families and vote on how we can live?"
To this question, you avoided, side stepped, and, to be frank, bull-shitted. I have a question for you, Prime Minister - Are you, a man in your early 60s who has had years experience in politics, really afraid of answering a question of a 13 year old boy with two mums?
The answer is yes, Mr Turnbull. You are afraid.
And I can understand why. You are of a different generation. Things were different back then, more traditional, everything was taught by the Bible - marriage is between a man and a woman.
You are afraid of the change gay marriage will bring. Who knows how many same sex couples will be roaming the streets with rings on their fingers? Hundreds? Thousands? I wouldn't know the statistics. I am only 16. I don't know everything.
But what I do know, is that I am gay. I am a lesbian. I am gay as gay is gay. And I would not change that for the world. Not because I like being special, not because I like standing out, not because I like the attention or being in a separate community to Heterosexuals, because none of those are true! I love being gay because I love being me and I love my girlfriend, more than anything.
Mr Turnbull, I am hurt. I am hurt and I feel like an outcast. When I am older, I want to marry my girlfriend. When I am older, I want my gay friends to happily engage and marry if they please. When I am older, I want to not STILL be fighting for the rights that I should already have!
But I'm not older, and there is still a plebiscite planned in February for next year. Prime Minister, I cannot express to you my feelings on this subject. I understand that new things can be frightening. This is often the cause behind racism, as well, if someone is unaware/not used to someone of another colour - and it seems to similarly be the cause behind your decisions as well on the LGBTI+ community.
To put it short, I am hurt. Confused. Sick and tired of my own sexuality, which is just as valid as yours, being questioned and voted on by an entire nation! If I did not vote on your marriage, Mr Turnbull, then why should Australia vote on mine?
Please acknowledge your responsibilities, Prime Minister. I always tell my girlfriend to weigh up the pros and cons and put things into perspective when she is making a decision. Maybe you should have a go, because right now you seem to think saying yes to gay marriage instantly is just going to send Australia into chaos and terror. You seem to think that when gay people walk around with rings on their fingers that that will be the end of religion, and the Bible, and the old ways that you were raised on.
But that isn't true, Mr Turnbull.
Think about it, and change your mind. Because same sex marriage WILL happen. I promise you that. Would you rather be hailed for allowing it, or hated for ignoring it?
Make your choice, Turnbull.
Just make the right one.
Anonymous, 16 years old, Australia.
