In December of last year, Australia's highest court passed a bill allowing marriage equality in the Australian Capital Territory. A week later, the court struck down the law annulling more than two dozen marriages. Many were devastated by this decision including Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Mitch from Modern Family):
"Like many marriage equality advocates we were saddened to hear that Australia's High Court recently overturned the law that legalized same sex marriage in their great country. Newlyweds ourselves, Justin and I kept thinking how devastated we would have been if suddenly we were no longer recognized as a legal couple."
Along with his husband, Jesse Tyler Ferguson founded Tie the Knot foundation, which aims to spread awareness of marriage equality in the United States. Now the actor is helping the equality movement in Australia by donating $10,000 of his own funds to Australian Marriage Equality.
"We have great faith in their strength and perseverance…. so much so I am personally pledging $10,000 toward the marriage equality efforts in Australia." said Ferguson. He added, "Tie The Knot has always focused its efforts on marriage equality in the United States, but there is no doubt in my mind that this is a great opportunity to bring attention to the journey toward marriage equality that Australia is currently embarking on."
‘We applaud Jesse Tyler Ferguson's generosity and his commitment to marriage equality,’ Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome said, 'Jesse's concern for marriage equality in Australia is shared by many people overseas who want to see us catch up with our closest friends and allies like the US, Britain, Canada and New Zealand."
Australia experienced a huge setback in the marriage equality movement. But due to Ferguson's generous donation, not only was he able to financially support the marriage equality movement, he was also able to spread awareness about this issue around the world.