Michael Caton on same-sex marriage and what it means

He is famous for Australian cult-classic The Castle where he famously thwarted a government plan to build an airport expansion on top of his home.

And Michael Caton channelled the campaigning spirit of his most famous character Darryl Kerrigan by launching an emotional plea in favour of same-sex marriage.

Citing longterm friends who have been together for 50 years but can’t marry under current Australian law he said: ‘John is 95, Alan is 88, and they live in a nursing home not far from where I live now. When I think of marriage equality, I think of what it could mean to them.’

‘I didn’t know homosexuality existed!’ The Castle’s Michael Caton opens up on same-sex marriage and what it means to him

‘I’m a child of the 40s and I finished my high school education not knowing that homosexuality existed even,’ Caton said in the video for The Equality Campaign. 

Explaining that he didn’t meet any gay people who were out until he moved to Sydney in 1969, he said: ‘It was a bit of a confrontation to me.’

‘A conflict in myself because the word poofter was obviously bandied around quite often. But then I started to see them as just people and they became good friends of mine.’

Yes voter: Michael Caton channelled the campaigning spirit of his most famous character Darryl Kerrigan by launching an emotional plea in favour of same-sex marriage

Yes voter: Michael Caton channelled the campaigning spirit of his most famous character Darryl Kerrigan by launching an emotional plea in favour of same-sex marriage

It was when Michael starred in a stage production of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales in Sydney in 1969 that he became good friends with a gay couple. 

‘They were together then in 1969 and they’re together now,’ he said. 

‘John is 95, Alan is 88, and they live in a nursing home not far from where I live now. When I think of marriage equality, I think of what it could mean to them.’ 

'When I think of marriage equality, I think of what it could mean to them' Michael spoke of his friends John and Alan who have been together for 50 years but can't legally marry

‘When I think of marriage equality, I think of what it could mean to them’ Michael spoke of his friends John and Alan who have been together for 50 years but can’t legally marry

The actor then went on to explain why he believes in marriage equality, dismissing ‘religious discrimination’ and ‘what we’re teaching our kids in schools’ as mere ‘red herrings.’

‘This is about people who want to make a commitment to each other and wouldn’t it be wonderful for Alan and John if before they pass on, they could have their commitment recognised by law? 

‘Is that too much to ask, I think not. I’d urge you respectfully to vote yes for marriage equality.’

The 74-year-old starred in the video ahead of the November 7 closure of the postal vote, the Australian Bureau of Statistics recommends that Australians post their forms back by October 27. 

'Vote yes for marriage equality' Michael, 74, starred in the video ahead of the November 7 closure of the vote, it is recommended that Australians post forms back by October 27

‘Vote yes for marriage equality’ Michael, 74, starred in the video ahead of the November 7 closure of the vote, it is recommended that Australians post forms back by October 27

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