‘We’re here, we’re queer, we’re Jewish. Get used to it’

Published: 16 November 2017

Last updated: 4 March 2024

The debate was often ugly and hurtful but it also revealed unexpected support and compassion from within the community, which voted strongly in favour. Here, three young Jewish Australians reflect on what the debate and the result means to them

HANNAH ARONI
‘I wasn’t expecting the enormous groundswell of Jewish support’
But this roar of support and acceptance from Australian Jewish communities cannot reduce the damage done

BRANDON SROT
'Blessed are those who spoke and brought a YES-world into reality'
We know that equality is not a title but rather an ongoing practice. But right now, it feels incredible to be Australian and to know that I am accepted, loved and worthy

DANIEL WHITE
'While part of me is thankful, another part of me is indignant'
It is only a small consolation that a majority of voters endorsed the right of LGBT people to be treated as equal citizens. I didn’t ask for affirmation. I asked for equal rights

AND SEE
How the electorates voted (ABC)
Melbourne, Sydney, Melbourne Ports and Wentworth lead the list of yes votes: all of them returned over 80% of votes supporting marriage equality

Same-sex marriage: Rabbi says additional protections not needed (ABC)
As long as a Rabbi in a synagogue only needs to marry two people according to his conscience, he is sure the community will be "perfectly calm and content about the change,” says Senior Rabbi of the Great Synagogue of Sydney, Dr Benjamin Elton

JCCV welcomes same-sex marriage plebiscite result
Council of Progressive Rabbis
The Council rejoices that the plebiscite has endorsed marriage equality to be part of Australian law. We urge the Parliament to adopt legislation as soon as possible to implement the will of the Australian people for marriage equality, without undermining current anti-discrimination law

AUJS supports voting yes to same-sex marriage

Supporters celebrate in Wollongong (Fairfax)