WIMMERA branch leaders have responded to the Victorian Country Women’s Association’s decision to support marriage equality.
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The group voted to advocate for equality for all Australians under the Commonwealth Marriage Act at its state conference at the weekend.
Horsham CWA Evening Branch president Mandi Stewart said the branch had not discussed the issue, but she was pleased to see it raised.
"As a CWA member I am very proud of the CWA accepting the motion for marriage equality,” she said.
“The CWA reflects the broader community’s view and most Australians are pretty tolerant about the private lives of others.
“It is time for marriage equality to be legislated.
"We all have family, friends and colleagues for whom being granted marriage equality will be an important step on the road to true equality."
Immediate past CWA Central Wimmera group president Jenni Turnbull said the marriage equality vote at the conference was not a unanimous decision.
“We support it because the state body has supported it,” she said.
“The branches were all given information about the motion and discussed it, and the branch delegates were instructed to vote according to those discussions.
“It was a secret vote so people wouldn't feel awkward about voting a particular way, so we don’t know how individual branches voted.
“I can’t speak for others, but we generally do support marriage equality.
“It’s something we have to make a stand on.
“I agree in equality for all people, but what the marriage act will eventually become we really don't know.”
Wimmera Pride Project leaders welcomed the association’s decision.
The group is a support network for the region’s LGBT+ community.
Founder Maddi Ostapiw said the association’s support was a major step forward for the state’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
