Magda Szubanski — national icon and devoted LGBTQI advocate — made an emotional and powerful speech in support of marriage equality on The Project on Wednesday.
Speaking with hosts Carrie Bickmore and Waleed Aly, the 56-year-old explained that same-sex marriage is about more than just “abstract issues like equality.”
“It is not just about matters of abstract issues like equality… you are not equally protected if you have a de facto relationship compared to a marriage. It is not just about love. It is about illness and death,” she said.
“A friend of mine… her long-term partner had cancer. She wanted to be in the room with her when she was having a painful treatment and the doctor said, ‘next of kin only. Parents, siblings. No spouses.'”
She added: “She wasn’t allowed in and she had to stand outside and listen to the screams of the woman she loved unable to even comfort her. Now, in whose universe is that fair? What God thinks that is right? I don’t understand it.”
WATCH: Szubanski highlights the legal ramifications for couples stuck in de facto relationships. Post continues…
Szubanski, who publicly came out as gay in 2012, also used her appearance on the popular news program to appeal to young people to “shape the country, make it a fair, wonderful place.”
“Young people are really passionate about ideals. They really care. But they think they feel disillusioned because we see so much of politics is people winning points and trying to stay in power and then when they get in power not really doing things that they really believe in or that really matter,” she said.
“In these dark times and moments of despair, that is when you do not give up the fight. That is when you enrol. That is when you do everything that you can to make the world the fairest place you can.”
“I guarantee you, even if you are not LGBTQI, your brother, your sister, your grandchildren or one of your nieces or nephews will be and you are deciding now what sort of a world we will create for them.”
Szubanski, who came out as gay in 2012, has always been a vocal supporter of marriage equality.
The comedian, who is perhaps most widely-known for her portrayal of ‘Sharon Strzelecki’ on Kath & Kim, previously spoke to The Weekly about laying herself bare.
“To have emerged from behind the mask and still feel that affection and acceptance has actually been really moving,” she said.
“I am who I’m meant to be. I felt for a long time that I was an impersonation of myself, not quite me.”
If you haven’t already enrolled to vote or updated your details, you have until midnight on August 24.
