Beloved comedian and one of the most high-profile “yes” campaigners, Magda Szubanski, has spoken of her joy at the “overwhelming” result in favour of marriage equality on Wednesday.
“We know I’m the crybaby of the campaign,” she joked to Channel Ten’s The Project on Wednesday evening.
“It’s been joyous, and really just a moment of extraordinary pride.
“This decision should’ve been made by politicians but they farmed it out to the Australian people, who came back with this resounding vote in favour of equality, love and compassion.
“That’s the frustrating thing, [the result] reflects the surveys that have been there all along.
“We said ‘don’t waste the money, don’t cause the grief’ but politicians wanted to play politics. They were trying to appease various elements within their parties.”
We look back on Australia’s reaction as the nation said “Yes” to #MarriageEquality and chat with @MagdaSzubanski! ???????? #TheProjectTV pic.twitter.com/luA3uhTr8N
— The Project (@theprojecttv) November 15, 2017
Magda said the postal survey was “a very strange situation” and the entire LGBTI community had been in an overwhelmed state during the campaign.
“None of us slept [on Tuesday night]. This is one of those moments which is such an intense experience, and you’re feeling everything,” she said.
“To have the whole nation vote on you is an extraordinary thing… To have them vote and embrace you in that way, I’m very grateful to the Australian people that reason and sanity prevailed.
“I love the fact that it’s been such a unifying thing, and I think going forward it can continue to be that.
“We just have to, as a community, put this divisive survey behind us and be as unified as we possibly can.”
@MagdaSzubanski rocking out at the #MarriageEquality rally at Prince Alfred Park pic.twitter.com/FikxgQIRnP
— Heather McNab (@heatherlmcnab) November 15, 2017
After the momentous result was announced, Magda addressed the crowd of thousands of Yes campaign supporters who had gathered in Sydney’s Prince Alfred Park on Wednesday morning.
“This is for all of us, no matter what way we want to live our life, we must live as equal people in this nation,” she said.
“White Australia began, literally, as a prison. A place for the dregs of society to be dumped. About 239 years later, it has become one of the most stable and peaceful democracies in the world.
“Now we’ve voted on one of the last remaining pieces of inequality that exists in legislation.
“None of us can live in a bubble where we try to pretend that other people don’t exist.
“We must find ways to reach out our hands across the divide that’s been created by this unfortunate survey, and go forward with a deep and good faith understanding of one another.”
After the result, social media users thanked Magda for being such a powerful voice for marriage equality during the aggressive postal survey campaign.
I believe more than ever that @MagdaSzubanski should be Australian of the Year #marriageEQUAILITY
— David Campbell (@DavidCampbell73) November 15, 2017
My emotional journey today, as illustrated by photos of @MagdaSzubanski
🌈❤️🎉#marriageequaility pic.twitter.com/PHOnObjT17— Michael Lallo (@Michael_Lallo) November 15, 2017
100% @MagdaSzubanski you were the voice of reason, sanity and intelligence throughout the debate and sadly the brunt of venom from the ugly side of humans. Take a break, have some chocolate, and some time out for yourself. 💜🏳️🌈💜🏳️🌈💜🏳️🌈✅✅✅✅✅ https://t.co/HYkKwu5e8H
— Karina (@Karina_Melbs) November 15, 2017
Peace to Magda Szubanski who was a lightning rod for every backward, homophobic, sexist prick in the country. Never once did she lower herself to their standard. A leader in a country that seems bereft of leadership.
— Scott Dooley (@scottdools) November 14, 2017
Many lovey-dovey thoughts to @MagdaSzubanski who, in this age of slacktavism rolled up her sleeves & got down to business becoming the public face that was always compassionate & fair. Do we owe her a drink? #YES #MarriageEquality
— Peter Helliar 🌈🌥☘️ (@pjhelliar) November 15, 2017
Magda, I want to particularly thank you for putting yourself out there and doing such an incredible job while you were also having to deal with devastating personal grief. I’ve no doubt your mother would be SO proud of you. Xxx
— Jess McGuire🌈 (@jessmcguire) November 14, 2017
i am not an expert on doing the law, but as i understand it, magda szubanski is now the prime minister of australia
— chino moreno’s goatee (@wheelswordsmith) November 14, 2017
Shout out to this woman (among so many) who used her voice so bravely for the YES campaign. @MagdaSzubanski you are a treasure 🌈 pic.twitter.com/AoMYzPgdNW
— Christie Whelan (@Christie_Whelan) November 15, 2017
