Sally Whitney, an Association member, is starring in a new television commercial promoting marriage equality.

She told The Lamp that the inability of LGBTI people to marry means “we are unequal”.

“There is no social equality, there is no legal equality.”

Sally grew up in regional Queensland, where homosexuality was not acknowledged and positive role models didn’t exist.

“I thought it was weird or somehow subversive to be gay. That can have an incredibly damaging effect, particularly during adolescence.

“If LGBTI people are seen by their own government as unequal, how then can we expect people to accept us for who we are? How can the teenager or young adult feel that their emerging sexuality and feelings of love for whichever gender is valid and not something to loathe within themselves?”

“Marriage recognition is also an enabler of other rights,” Sally says.

“For example, access to your partner in hospital when they are unwell, resolution of wills and joint assets after death.

“These are the issues that nobody in government wants to discriminate on, but I see loving couples tormented by these barriers – it’s unnecessary and it’s cruel.

“I am a nurse, a friend, a daughter, a sibling, an aunt, a cousin; I am many things. I am an ordinary Australian, who pays taxes and works hard. I treat patients equally; that’s my job. I want to be treated equally and fairly in the eyes of the law.

“I want the same freedoms and choices as the majority of other Australians. I want the legal and social protection that you receive if you choose to marry. I want to be able to make the ultimate commitment the person I choose above all others and it be seen equally as my heterosexual friends.”

The ad also features a firefighter, a lifesaver and a soldier, and the words:

“We can put our lives on the line. We can stand the heat. We can nurse you back to health. So why can’t we get married?”

Sally is grateful to all the people who have worked for the Marriage Equality Campaign.

“They are the real reason we have come so far and why this campaign is going to be so successful in making the politicians take note,” she says.

“Their passion, dedication and selflessness blew me away.”

How you can help

Australians are coming together like never before to ensure every couple is treated fairly under the law. Go to www.australianmarriageequality.org to find out how you can help.