Alex Greenwich A hardworking battler for marriage equality in Australia has been elected into New South Wales’ parliament, only to be met with media headlines accusing him of being a “gay party boy” who organised “risqué” beach fundraisers. Independent Alex Greenwich has won the Sydney seat in a landslide, after being backed by it former holder Clover Moore who had to step down under a recent law change, because she is also Sydney’s Mayor. Greenwich was previously the convenor of Australian Marriage Equality, and was regarded as an eloquent and hard-working champion for the cause, making it to Samesame.com.au’s list of the 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians in 2011. Rather than focusing on his achievements or easy victory, a story in the Daily Telegraph reads: “The state's newest MP headed overseas to marry his boyfriend and used to organise risqué beach parties at Bondi to raise cash for gay lifesavers, it has emerged.” It also describes him as “the latest homosexual in Parliament”. Greenwich responds that he can’t believe someone has leaked details on fundraising parties to “sledge him”. Meanwhile the new convener of Australian Marriage Equality, Rodney Croome, has congratulated Greenwich on his election win and achieving a political milestone. "We call on the NSW government to respect Alex Greenwich's marriage by treating him and husband as married partners for all relevant purposes," he says. Croome says the group will build on Greenwich’s legacy in its continuing campaign to achieve full legal equality for same-sex couples and their families.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 29th October 2012 - 10:42am