As the ABS began posting the first of 16 million forms to homes yesterday in the survey on marriage equality, inner-west campaigners have taken their support for the ‘Yes’ campaign to the streets.
Students, unions and community groups have also been out in force encouraging voters to have their say in the $122 million voluntary survey.
Street art has been popping up across the inner-west backing the campaign, as rainbow-coloured posters flood shopfronts and house windows.
Seddon Deadly Sins co-owner Chris Gooden, who has a giant ‘Yes’ painted on the side wall of his cafe, said the vote is a significant equality issue.
“We want to maybe sway those sitting on the fence, but more importantly encourage people to open that envelope and send in their vote,” he said.
“We are going to ask people to make their vote, then come down and sign their name on the wall showing their support.”
Victoria University Polytechnic students from the Community Development and Community Services are organising a range of social actions in the lead-up to the vote.
Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay councils have reiterated their support for the Yes campaign, a stance backed by the Victorian Local Governance Association.
VLGA president Marg Attley said the postal vote was an expensive and unnecessary step.
“This survey is about equal rights under the law – the rights of same sex couples to get married,” she said.
“It is not about religious freedom, freedom of speech, political correctness or the upbringing of children.”
