Hobsons Bay councillor Tony Briffa has wed long-time partner Manja Sommeling in New Zealand but has spoken out because their marriage is not legally recognised in Australia.
Cr Briffa was born with partial androgen insensitivity syndrome, or intersex. For the marriage, gender was listed as “indeterminate”.
“In countries like the UK, Canada, New Zealand, France, Spain, the Netherlands, and others, a couple is able to marry irrespective of sex,” Cr Briffa said. “Sadly, this is not the case in Australia. Nonetheless, I am very pleased Manja and I are now married even if our marriage is not yet legally recognised in Australia.
“The day itself was perfect. We were married by a celebrant in the Dunedin City Council chambers and were made to feel extremely welcome by everyone we met. Dunedin will always be a very special place for us.”
Cr Briffa said it was sad and shameful that the couple enjoyed full rights in New Zealand but not in their native land where they paid taxes, raised children and served their community.
