Marriage equality: the cold, hard facts

The growing tolerance of same-sex relationships is allowing more and more gay and lesbian Australians to stay in, or move to, places that were once hostile.

The demand for marriage equality is a result of this demographic shift. We want to marry, not to become something we're not, but as recognition of what we already are.

We aren't hiding the "freak flag" because we have no such flag to fly.

The Australian marriage equality debate will inevitably grow more intense as reform nears.

To ensure the debate is as constructive as possible, it is vital ideological posturing and moralising on both the right and left is challenged with hard facts.