This Australian senator's tearful plea for marriage equality is a must-watch.
Longtime marriage equality supporter Sarah Hanson-Young's raw speech shares a hopeful message of perseverance.
A few weeks ago, the people of Australia went to the polls and overwhelmingly voted "YES" on a referendum to legalize marriage equality throughout the country. It was great news for LGBTQ Australians and their supporters, and people celebrated accordingly.
People partied in the Melbourne streets. Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images.
Marriage equality supporter and Greens Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young struggled to hold back tears as she spoke recently on the verge of the bill's passage.
Paying tribute to Robert James "Bob" Brown, the first out gay legislator in Australia's parliament, Hanson-Young choked up as she talked about the importance of continuing Brown's work in fighting for a more equal and accepting world.
"This parliament has come such a long way. Twenty bills have been introduced to reverse this awful law," she said, referring to Australian Marriage Act, which banned same-sex marriage. "Seven of them, embarrassingly so, in my name."
After years of failed efforts to overturn or amend that law, victory is within reach.
GIF from Christine Byllaardt/NewsCorp Australia.
GIF from Christine Byllaardt/NewsCorp Australia.
"Millions of Australians have fought for this reform to happen. Inquiries after inquiries, protesting on the street, meeting with members of parliament, lobbying in their workplaces and voting 'yes.' It is now time for the Senate to do our job, to get this done," she said during the floor speech, wiping tears from her eyes, adding that "discrimination to some demeans us all."
I guess I shouldn’t have worn mascara. Oops! ❤️🌈— 💚🌏 Sarah Hanson-Young (@💚🌏 Sarah Hanson-Young) 1511743546
Despite the victorious vote, same-sex marriage still isn't legal in Australia — at least not until the bill passes.
The people have spoken, but it won't be until their elected representatives take action on the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill currently sitting in Australia's parliament.
There's little doubt that a bill of some form will pass — running afoul of the people's vote is a massive political risk probably not worth taking — but opponents of marriage equality want to carve out "religious freedom" exemptions designed to allow for continued discrimination against same-sex couples. Equality proponents are doing their best to make sure that doesn't happen.
Greens Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young speaking in May 2015. Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images.
The Senate's stated goal is to pass a bill sometime this week. In the meantime, you can watch Hanson-Young's powerful, emotional speech below.
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young begins to cry in the Senate while talking about the historic SSM bill. #auspol https://t.co/8vYPGyNMpO— Christine Vanden Byllaardt (@Christine Vanden Byllaardt) 1511743279
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12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.