Q&A: Magda Szubanski uses Brownlow medal comparison in same-sex debate

By Abigail Malbon|

Magda Szubanski uses a comparison between the Brownlow medal and marriage to highlight her point.

Actress and same-sex marriage advocate Magda Szubanski appeared on a Q&A episode about the divisive debate.

Szubanski, a prominent Yes supporter, compared the debate to the Brownlow medal. When No campaign spokesman Karina Okotel said, “You can’t change an institution that has always existed without there being consequences,” Szubanski hit back: 

“You’re sending a very clear message of equal but different."

She said having different rules for gay and straight marriages was akin to a gay AFL player winning the Brownlow Medal but instead being given “the civil acknowledgment of your very excellent effort” award.

Szubanksi then challenged Anglican Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies, a No advocate, on issues from freedom of speech to the effects the results may have. She also spoke of his responsibility and the influence she believes the church holds in the debate.

Catholic priest Frank Brennan, a Yes voter, clashed with Davies before Szubanski stepped in.

"I'm less of an atheist than people would think," she said.

"I accept that the Church will never marry me. That grieves me in ways you will never know.

"I'm the one in my family, when I buried my parents I organised every detail of the masses, I wrote the orders of service, I put the pall over my mother's coffin.

"Now I accept the Catholic Church will never marry me but you won't even let me marry outside the Church.

"Fair enough, in your domain, you do what you like."

When an audience member asked, "Why can't I have a right to my view without being branded as a hater or a bigot?" Szubanski replied: "You totally do and I wouldn't brand you as a homophobe," admitting that at a time when she was "unresolved and probably not comfortable with myself, I might have voted no, too".

"There's been viciousness on the extremes of either side… I think we have to try and establish and expand the moderate live-and-let-live middle ground really."

When the panel were asked whether they would accept the results of the vote, Archbishop Davies said he would, “because we believe in democracy".

"However, I won't stop saying what Jesus defines marriage to be and how God has defined marriage."

Szubanski said she was in a difficult position if the No vote prevails, referring to the Indigenous referendum.

"Would you have sat and said to an Aboriginal person, 'Do you accept that vote?'

"Because I believe fundamentally in my bones you can't set a precedent where 10 per cent of the population are less equal than others, I will continue to try and somehow get people to understand what it is like for me and other LBGTQI people.

"How profoundly insulting it is to be told you're lesser than and be reminded on an institutional basis constantly."
