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Simon Hicks and Greg May were onto their second bottle of champagne when the Star caught up with them to get their reaction to the same sex marriage vote results.
Along with the celebrations a few tears have been shed since the resounding ‘yes’ vote results were announced, capping off years of anguish and frustration.
Normally Simon would be overseeing operations at Tenterfield Pizza on a Wednesday, but the long-term couple had arranged to be at home on their property at Sandy Flat to hear the outcome of the vote together, whatever it may be.
While he hadn’t wanted to anticipate a successful result, Simon said he was hopeful and considered the nation’s 61.6 per cent ‘yes’ vote to be a resounding affirmation.
“It’s a great result,” Simon said.
The yes vote for the New England electorate was a lower 52.5 per cent, but Simon said at the end of the day it’s still a yes.
“So many friends here have been so supportive to us, after an incredibly trying few months.”
He said few people outside the gay community would appreciate how hard the process has been for those affected, and how damaging it’s been emotionally, but the couple feels the country is now half-way there to enacting same-sex marriage in law.
With legislation slated to be passed before Christmas, Simon is hoping this reduction of one form of discrimination won’t be negated by the addition of others.
“A 61.6 per cent win is a terrific endorsement by anyone’s measure,” he said.
Simon and Greg have been together 12 years and engaged the past 2.5. They aim to be married next year, once they work around other family commitments in order to set a date, but it will be as soon as possible.
Simon said the couple’s primary aim all along was to be married on their Sandy Flat property in front of their community. That day may now not be far away.