Doug PollardThe mob at the back of the bus
May 31st 2009 04:11
St Trinians - Ronald Searle
Listening to ‘our spokespeople’ arguing about marriage versus registers versus unions is like being a teacher with a busload of bitchy schoolgirls.
I feel like yelling, “Will you lot at the back stop squabbling! Tasmania, stop acting so superior just because you grabbed the window seat. We know your registered partnerships are better than marriage, thank you, you don’t have to keep on about it.
“And Canberra, stop banging on about ‘ceremonies’. Have one if you must, OK? Just don’t ask me to be a bridesmaid – I look dreadful in cream satin.
“And stop teasing Victoria about dog registers. It’s not nice, and no she doesn’t have to wear that dog-tag. It’s just a fashion statement.
“Just be grateful. Some poor states aren’t allowed on the bus at all. That’s why Ms Rainbow Labor here is asking the government to put more seats at the back, so they can ride, too.
“Yes, Tasmania, I know there’s plenty of room in the marriage seats up front, but only heterosexual people can sit there. Ms Labor says we might be able to eventually, just not now.
“Why is she siding with the heterosexuals rather than us? That’s a very good question, Canberra. Can anyone tell me the answer?
“Yes, Tasmania, that’s right. It’s called ‘Tomming’. Let me explain. And stop groaning back there!! I’ll make it quick.
“Once, in America, only whites were allowed on buses. But some blacks said, ‘Please sir, if you don’t mind sir, may we sit in the back of your buses? After all, a seat is a seat, sir.’
“This was called ‘separate but equal’ (some people nowadays call it ‘functional equality’) where some things are set aside for whites, some for blacks. But even when they seemed the same – like the bus seats – the things set aside for blacks were never quite as good as the things reserved for whites. Because of course are the whites are the majority, and have most of the money.
“Uncle Toms like Ms Labor don’t mind riding at the back, because at least it’s better than walking. But some of us think differently. We think we should boycott the buses until we can choose to sit where we like.
“That means boycotting civil unions, partnerships, and relationship registers until we can get married, too. It’s not that marriage is ‘better’ than any of the alternatives, but it must BE one of the alternatives.
Because if we settle for anything that doesn’t include marriage, the politicians will all say, ‘OK, you got what you wanted, you’re equal now,’ when we’re not. We’re not equal until we have exactly the same choices as everyone else. And equality – not marriage – is the goal.
“So there’s your choices, girls. Put up with whatever seats they’ll give you, or get off the bus and walk till you can pick your own. Or were you thinking of moving to Canada?
“No, no, leave Ms Labor alone. I don’t think she’s going anywhere in those shoes.
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Comment by Anonymous
Anon
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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Comment by Doug Pollard
Current Affairs
Rainbow Reporter
Numbers have dwindled in recent years, with only a hundred or so rallying on the steps of the State Library last year.
The lobby group Australian Marriage Equality Really Long Link regularly conducts actions and releases press releases, most notably when they occupied the Bureau of Stats office to protest at their overseas marriages not being counted in the census (they will be next time).
Equal Love contact@equallove.info will co-ordinate a national day of action on August 1 to coincide with the Labor Party conference, which is expected to approve a policy of national civil unions, thus enshrining our second class status in law - hence this piece.
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
I think I*ll just keep riding my pushbike and see what happens. .
Great post!
Lilla
Comment by Morgan Bell
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i know Epiphanie (Postmodern Critic) was really eager to get more involved but just didnt know where to start
it seems to be a fairly silent movement, but a worthy one