WHILE most of Australia revelled in the result of the nationwide marriage equality vote, Port Macquarie couple Karen Hosking and Tammy Watson were already happily engaged.
No matter the result of the hotly debated $122 million postal vote, they were always going to be married on December 9.
They exchanged vows on Harry’s Lookout surrounded by friends and family, finally able to settle down to a long and happy life together.
Both women have been in heterosexual relationships before. In fact, Tammy has two children from her previous marriage.
“But I got to a point in my life where I was old enough to be myself and make my own decisions without fear of judgement from other people,” she said.
“We have both been in straight relationships where we were able to love whoever we want without fear, so we feel like there’s no reason we can’t love whoever we want now. Our love is no different.”
Karen said she had a sexuality crisis in 2005 when she was engaged, and was on and off with her former fiancé for another five years.
“Since 2010 I knew for sure (that I was gay). It’s not a black and white thing for me. It’s more about the person,” she said.
“It wasn’t a choice (to be gay). If it was a choice you wouldn’t make it.”
Tammy said when she was married she didn’t realise she was gay.
“But for me I didn’t have those role models. I came from a very conservative family,” she said.
“It was only as I grew into myself as a person that’s when I realised I was what I was. When I look back, I have known I was gay since I was about 16.”
While they admit to receiving stares, they would not change their life for the world and hope that the coming of age for Australia will help cradle other gay people who are struggling.
“We might be holding hands in the shopping centre or giving each other a kiss goodbye, and people will double take."
“And we remember ‘oh yeah, we’re both girls and it’s not really normal’ but it is normal to us.
“My advice to young people who are gay or who are struggling to come out or to deal with the emotions, I would say give 100% honesty to yourself, and then to everyone you love. Go with your heart.”
“People respect you for having the bravery to be who you are. We have had a lot of love and acceptance,” Tammy added.
“You think it will be difficult, but it really isn’t if you can be firm and strong within who you are.”
When the news of the yes vote broke, Karen said the emotion of it all hit her more than she expected.
“I never thought I cared, but when the vote came in as yes I got quite emotional. That knowledge of acceptance was great,” she said.
“I think it’s more acceptable now than it was 10 years ago. There’s greater acceptance now and we’re in a better time now.”
“My kids are nine and 11, so for them to see the advertisements about voting no and to know, perhaps, it wasn’t right … my son would say to me ‘why are they being so mean, mum? Why are they saying those things?’,” Tammy said.
“But I love that the outcome is yes. It helps him to know that most of the country approves, and that our love and relationship is normal.”
Port Macquarie Newshttp://www.portnews.com.au