The commitment project was started by Evan Cooper.
He had an ambitious plan to put up a billboard at Sydney Town Hall train station featuring gay and lesbian couples who have been together for more than 8.7 years.
News spread like wildfire and soon there was a buzz of excitement among the LGBTQ+ community. The project was part of The Commitment Project, a website campaign that aims to raise awareness about the need for legal equality for same-sex couples.
An overwhelming response as 25 same sex couples showed up at the train station to lend their support. This billboard will soon be replicated in Melbourne and other capital cities in Australia.
All in all, it was an inspiring and heartwarming sight to see love and commitment being celebrated in such a public manner.
Chosen to be in on the Billboard for The Commitment Project
Darren and I were lucky enough to have been chosen to appear on the billboard {that’s us bottom row 5th from the left). We and many other gay and lesbian couples have been together for longer than our parents aunties and uncles.
Goes to show that the gay and lesbian population can be just as monogamous and loving as heterosexual relationships.
“But this project is about more than just “gay marriage” I really hope that these simple images of loving couples will help reduce homophobia, will inspire young people to keep their romantic dreams and for parents to know that their gay, lesbian and transgendered children have just as much chance of having a long term and happy family life as anyone else.
Commitment Project is aimed to show the wider community that for all our differences we still fundamentally want the same thing, to be allowed to love who we love.”
Darren and I are proud to be a part of The Commitment Project and support same sex marriage.
“As indicated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics the middle length of an Australian Marriage is 8.7 years so I have utilized this number as the base period of time to be a piece of this task,” says the venture’s organizer Evan Cooper.
Look at a bigger picture of the board here.
“This venture is about more than simply ‘gay marriage’,” Cooper clarifies. “I truly trust that these basic pictures of cherishing couples will lessen homophobia, will motivate youngsters to keep their sentimental dreams.
And for guardians to realize that their gay, lesbian and transgendered kids have the same amount of possibility of having a long haul and upbeat family life as any other person.”
Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore has got behind this ideaw. “And in addition giving the battle for equivalent acknowledgment a human measurement, the photographs ought to energize youthful lesbians and gay men and their families to trust that discovering joy with a long haul accomplice is a reasonable goal,” she says.
Reasons to Support The Commitment Project
There are countless reasons why we should support gay marriage. It’s just so obvious that every person on this planet deserves to be treated the way they want to be treated.
Sadly, there are still groups of people who are being ignored in our society. We need to be more accepting of each other and work together as a community. Our goal should be to make people happy and reduce their pain.
It’s really painful to see same-sex couples being excluded from our society. They’ve been together for so long and have contributed so much to our community.
If two people are in love, why can’t they be recognized by the government?
11 Tips for The Best Gay Wedding
The following are important things you should keep in mind when preparing for a gay marriage. Dos and dont’s are important. This way you will ensure that you will have the best gay wedding ever.
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Ditch the etiquette books
Pre-organised ideas of what proper behavior are do not match the modern wedding. Set your own rules with your partner. But keep in mind that the wedding should be a celebration of the two of you and a totally unique experience so think outside the box.
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Don’t mess with rental stores
Rental formal wear stores do not deliver high fashion or the latest styles and trends. That suit cannot be customized to fit properly your specific body type.
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Buy yourself a suit that you will wear again
Don’t go all anxious with your spouse when selecting a suit. You each have your own unique style and that can be reflected in your wedding day wardrobe selection. So better get a good one and us.
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Who gets the opportunity to wear a wedding band?
Both of you can wear a wedding band, one of you, or not one or the other. It’s an individual choice that shouldn’t be constrained to one individual just on the grounds that somebody proposed first.
On the off chance that you need to make a visual revelation of your adoration, then by all methods wear a flawlessly dazzling wedding band.
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Who the hell pays?
So, who pays for the wedding when there are two brides or no bride at all? It can get pretty awkward, but don’t worry, there’s a solution. If both you and your partner are tight with your families, why not split the bill down the middle?
Sure, it might not be the most practical option, but if your families still want to chip in, suggest they give a cash gift and you and your partner cover the rest.
Pick a venue that reflects your personalities, whether it is your favorite restaurant or a hotel or just a park.
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Don’t leave your guests wondering what to do all weekend in the city
Organize a day out for your guests, especially for those that came from other destinations. You can arrange for them to go to a show, concert, to the zoo, a museum or anywhere that you think will please them.
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Arrange a formal sit down dinner with round tables of eight and seating assignments
Remember, this is the most important event of your life. Also have interactive stations with food pass from your guests.
This way your guests will be able to mix, mingle and eat throughout the evening and more importantly, you will get more one on one time with your loved ones and guests as well.
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Stocking the bar with just the typical spirits like vodka, gin and whiskey is so ordinary
Shake up the night and add some custom cocktails inspired by your wedding day or have a bar featuring a specialty liquor like Absinthe, Pimms or St. Germaine. Bartenders can be hired for your Big Day to stir in some sophistication at the bar as well.
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The gay wedding band vs. the DJ
Don’t hire that tired old wedding band that only knows the classic ballads. Do have a DJ that is versatile enough to entertain your aunt and your friend who hits the clubs four times a week.
The music should evolve as the evening progresses. After all, who doesn’t love a remix or mash-up?
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Floral centerpieces and votive candles on every table sound good
Think floral centerpieces and unique decor on the tables making your big day unique. Color, variety and size are all up to you. Flowers are the perfect way to customize your gay wedding day.
Think creatively and represent your taste and personality as a couple through your wedding day. If you need something more affordable, go for some super silky looking balloons!
Meet Stephen, a bold and opinionated cis-gendered gay advocate for gender equality and sexual education. Join him on the Adultsmart blog for fearless insights.
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