How marriage equality was defeated in Tasmania

He then went on to say that same-sex marriage will lead to same-sex surrogacy (which the Upper House voted to legalise a few weeks ago), polygamy (which is the sure sign of pre-existing bias against marriage equality), and “a stolen generation” of children (which is an even surer sign).

But unfortunately some MLCs couldn’t see the faults in Cox’s case because they seemed dazzled by his name.

In retrospect, it was at that point the fight for Wilkinson and several others was lost.

Herein lies a lesson for other states and territories moving toward marriage equality.

The Tasmanian Upper House is no longer the homophobic chamber it was when it obstinately blocked the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the 1990s.

Sure, some members showed a lack of empathy about how important this issue is for same-sex couples.

Some also showed a deep lack of confidence in Tasmania’s ability to take a leading role in the federation.

But there are no dogmatic Christian fundamentalists in the Upper House, and no haters.

To pull wavering Upper House members back from supporting a reform they aren’t naturally too worried about, opponents of reform exaggerated the constitutional risks associated with the issue.

In reality, there is no certainty there will be a High Court challenge to state same-sex marriage laws and less certainty they will be struck down.

But opponents of marriage equality ignored reality and created the illusion a strike-down is a foregone conclusion.

Then at the last minute they spiced this exaggerated risk with high costs and some big names.