We’ve been saying it forever: love is love.
WATCH the momentous event!
Same-sex marriage was finally legalised in December 2017; and now, two years on, Married At First Sight has cast their first same-sex couple since marriage equality laws were passed in Australia.
“It’s really something to celebrate and long overdue,” says one of the show’s dating and relationships experts, Mel Schilling, with fellow expert John Aitken adding that it is “perhaps most important match of the entire experiment”.
For Amanda Micallef and Tash Herz – the two gorgeous gals who have decided to embark on the landmark journey – it means the world.
“My sexuality doesn’t exclude me from wanting a traditional marriage,” explains 31-year-old Tash, who describes herself as “grossly romantic”.
“I’ve never pictured my wedding day in the past. There hasn’t been that opportunity for gay people, so it’s been sort of kicked to the side for me. But I’m excited for the possibilities that this experiment is bringing.”
Meanwhile, strength coach Amanda says she really struggled to find a sense of belonging since she was a child – which only gives her big day all the more meaning.
“I didn’t know where I fit in society. Gay marriage wasn’t a thing up until recently in Australia,” the 34-year-old shares, admitting that she used to believe she would never have that for herself – and that fact has caused her some resentment in the past.
“I used to hate weddings… So to actually have my own wedding now I feel normal, I feel like I belong,” she spills.
“To have my own wedding and to have loved ones there… I’m like everyone else now. Nobody cares who I’m holding hands with at night. People see that it’s all about love.”
The significance of their nuptials shone through in Amanda’s vows, too.
“As gay women, we’ve likely had to fight that bit harder for who we are than most,” she told Tash.
“Thank you for having the courage to act in spite of fear… Following your gut, even at the risk of hurting others, one has the chance to find a true equal.”
“Finally we’ve been given the opportunity to express our highest love in front of our family and friends. It was everything I’ve ever hoped for, if not more.”
While the experts and many fans were all for the landmark event, some of the show’s viewers weren’t convinced it was the most genuine way to celebrate the arrival of marriage equality in Australia.
“A wedding that is not legally binding is the best way to celebrate the legalisation of same sex marriage,” shared one Twitter user sarcastically.
However, others praised the move:
“Australian TV has actually come a long way,” tweeted another fan. “This would not and could not have happened 15 years ago.”
And everyone was cheering for the new graphic, featuring two brides!
Though Tash and Amanda are the first same-sex pairing since gay marriage was legalised in Australia, they aren’t the show’s first gay couple.
MAFS‘ first-ever same-sex partners – Craig Roach and Andy John – appeared on the show in 2016, before the marriage laws had changed.
The boys’ casting angered some members of the gay community at the time, who felt MAFS trivialised gay marriage by featuring the wedding of a couple who didn’t know each other – while the fight for marriage equality for real-life, long-term partners continued to rage around the country.
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