Music venues lead this weekend’s enrolment drive ahead of marriage equality postal vote

Venues across Australia are holding an enrolment drive this weekend to get more people to sign up to be able to participate in the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey.

The deadline for enrolment on the Commonwealth Electoral Roll is midnight August 24, and with almost 14% of young people are not enrolled to vote, this weekend (August 17-20) has been dubbed the Equality Weekender.

Australian residents are encouraged to join the drive by throwing a party, holding a BBQ, running an event, opening their café doors, emailing their organisation’s database and updating their social networks with a message.

Already 40 venues have come together to show their support, including Vic on the Park, The Lord Raglan, World Bar, The Imperial, Volumes Festival, Cake Wines, The Stonewall, The Botany View and The Lady Hampshire.

“Young people have such a huge part to play in the conversation of marriage equality,”Jake Smyth of The Landsdowne, Mary’s and The Unicorn said.

“By holding these events and encouraging people to bring a little positivity into the world, we hope that people will get more involved and more engaged in this issue.

“This isn’t just about marriage, this is about equal rights – and we need each and every one of you to join in.”

From The Gladstone comes the message: “There is an old rule to never discuss politics in a pub, and while some folk in Canberra want to make this issue purely political, we recognise that that it is squarely about equality, respect and love.

“We are throwing a party to all to register to vote, to have your voice heard, to speak out for the family members, the friends, the teenagers whose voice has been ignored for too long.”

The Lady Hampshire informed fans on Facebook that they stand for marriage equality, hosting an enrolment party and offering acomplimentary schooner of Frank Strongs to anyone who completes an enrolment form on the day.

For more info or to access resources such as Rainbow Emojis by Luke Arnold, go to the official website.