The Commitment Project
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  • Two Bodies, One Heart

    This Project documents long term gay and lesbian committed relationships. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics the median length of an Australian marriage is 8.7 years so I have used this number as the minimum length of time to be part of this project.

    I believe that gay,lesbian and transgendered relationships deserve the same legal rights and public respect as heterosexual ones.

    But this project is about more than just "gay marriage" I really hope that these simple images of loving couples will help reduce homophobia, will inspire young people to keep their romantic dreams and for parents to know that their gay, lesbian and transgendered children have just as much chance of having a long term and happy family life as anyone else.

    The Commitment Project is aimed to show the wider community that for all our differences we still fundamentally want the same thing, to be allowed to love who we love.

  • Mary and Lil        
    1989

    Mary and Lil        


    We met at a friend's birthday party. I impressed Lil with my fantastic cricket skills. We were together for 13 years before Mary met my parents...

  • Dane and Tommy
    March 2000

    Dane and Tommy


  • Adam and Clay
    August 2002

    Adam and Clay


    Adam is a born Australian, while Clay is a transplant to Sydney from the US in 2000 (and has since become an AU Citizen). We met in (approximately) A...

  • Steve, Jeff and their dogs Seth & Makita
    1999

    Steve, Jeff and their dogs Seth & Makita


    Love, honor and committed to each other, through life's ups and hard times. We work together, but also know we always can be there for other, in what ...

  • Kelly, Sam and their daughter, Charlotte
    January 1994

    Kelly, Sam and their daughter, Charlotte


    Together for 18 years in January 2012.  Our beloved daughter is nearly 4 years old.  It’s time to make marriage about love and commitment, not ge...

  • Jean and Cathy
    June 2001

    Jean and Cathy


    We work together, we live together, we are together 24/7 and can still laugh, love and enjoy each other.

  • Byron and Jim
    February 2001

    Byron and Jim


    We had a British Civil Union, it was held at the British Commission in Melbourne February 2007. I hope I die before Jim as I cannot imagine my life...

  • Kerry and Warren
    October 1983

    Kerry and Warren


    We have been together for 27years and we believe that equal marriage is both a human & legal right.  It is not a religious or political issue.  ...

  • Andrew and Justin
    1998

    Andrew and Justin


    We chose to marry in Toronto, Ontario as we discovered the laws in Canada were the least restrictive for same ...

  • Glenn and Tony
    Oct 2000

    Glenn and Tony


    We met on the internet in 2000, early adopters of technology

  • Geoff and Joe
    January 1994

    Geoff and Joe


    We discussed the possibility of having a British Civil Union with the British Consul in Sydney. She was very eager to conduct the ceremony but when we...

  • Chris, Lindy and L.C.
    June 1993

    Chris, Lindy and L.C.


    We met playing tennis. We exchanged our vows on 4.3.95

  • Carlos and Jean
    November 1978

    Carlos and Jean


    With all the ups and downs of life, love is about knowing ourselves as much knowing the others we love.

  • Craig and Mark, the furry kids Oscar & Lucy
    March 1995

    Craig and Mark, the furry kids Oscar & Lucy


    We met through Sydney Spokes.  Craig said he was too old for me, but when I took his shirt off I said I was old enough to decide.

  • Angus and Glenn
    15th April 1999

    Angus and Glenn


    Totally committed to each other and our relationship for life. Our anniversary date is extra-special because we share the day with our precious cocker...

  • Jeff and Michael
    April 1992

    Jeff and Michael


    We are a German and American binational couple, together now for over 20 years. We were married in Germany and are looking forward to getting married ...

  • Dunc and John
    March 1987

    Dunc and John


    Straight friends set us up and it worked. We lived together immediately.

  • Kathy and Trudi
    April 2002

    Kathy and Trudi


    We formed a Civil Union under British law and are looking forward to the day it is recognised in Australia

  • Wendy and Shirley
    April 1996

    Wendy and Shirley


    We both had children before we met. They all get along well as adults, just like any other family

  • Peter and Carlos
    October 1987

    Peter and Carlos


    We met by literally bumping into each other while boarding a flight at Memphis International Airport

  • Drew and Chris, with Walter and Shirley
    Oct 1991

    Drew and Chris, with Walter and Shirley


    I wanted to be in the photo with Drew and Chris as I believe their love is no different to my other children's

  • Greig and Glen
    October 1986

    Greig and Glen


    Twenty-five years ago it was a commonly held belief that same sex relationships didn’t last. Back then we simply agreed that we’d stay together a...

  • Brad and Aaron
    25th April 1993

    Brad and Aaron


    We met at the exchange hotel at 3am on ANZAC day 1993 and have never been apart since. All we want is to be able to legalise our commitment to each o...

  • Aaron and Alf
    January 2000

    Aaron and Alf


    An Aussie-Kiwi Relationship,  be happy while you're living, you're a long time dead.

  • Mary and Sandra
    1994

    Mary and Sandra


    We knew we were soul mates from the time we met nearly  18 years ago

  • Phil and Pete
    June 1992

    Phil and Pete


    We met in June 1992 and have spent the past 20 years creating a world where we are free to express our true commitment to each other.  We enjoy the ...

  • Anika and Jane
    October 2003

    Anika and Jane


  • Vanessa, Louise and Leo
    September 1999

    Vanessa, Louise and Leo


    We've got Love.

  • Ronnie and Ainy
    January 1998

    Ronnie and Ainy


  • Craig and Leo
    September 1990

    Craig and Leo


    We got married in Montreal, Quebec Canada on 1/8/2009 after 19 years together.

  • A message from Julia Morris

    A message from Julia Morris


    We should all be allowed to have a slice Happy Ever After.  These photos are proof that no matter who you are, if you have found 'the one' you have h...

  • John and John      
    1960

    John and John      


    We like the same things and we love each other.

  • Stephen and Ian
    August 1991

    Stephen and Ian


    We were married in Montreal Canada on 06/08/2006 during the OutGames. Two other couples from Adelaide, one gay, one lesbian, were married on the same ...

  • Bob and Barry        
    2003

    Bob and Barry        


    We are domestic partners in our city.

  • Lou, Kath and Simon
    September 1993

    Lou, Kath and Simon


    We've been together for 18 years, and she still makes me laugh

  • David and Brian
    November 1971

    David and Brian


  • Adam and Joe
    August 1994

    Adam and Joe


    Seventeen years and it just keeps getting stronger. ...

  • A message from Adam Elliot

    A message from Adam Elliot


    I see so many sad couples around me who fight, argue and perhaps should go their separate ways. What saddens me the most, however, is that these heter...

  • Bernard and Edward
    November 1977

    Bernard and Edward


    Edward is Armenian. This has both enhanced and challenged our relationship because of family commitments, but generally has been very enriching

  • Jeff and Patrick
    July 1981

    Jeff and Patrick


    Love at first sight.  The first decade was fractured but our differences make it work

  • Jeff and Graham
    June 1980

    Jeff and Graham


    When we began our lives together, there was no thought in our minds that marriage would ever be an option.  Our relationship has survived for over th...

  • Ian and Geoff
    November 1996

    Ian and Geoff


    We still fancy each other after 14 years.

  • Rod and David
    February 1995

    Rod and David


  • Rob and Dave
    August 2000

    Rob and Dave


    11 years ago we met and knew we belonged together.  We always put each other first and still after 11 years we still get excited to see each other af...

  • Fran and Sharyn
    July 1991

    Fran and Sharyn


    Still Happy.

  • Zoe, Linda and Lola
    August 1998

    Zoe, Linda and Lola


    We have legally married in two different countries, Montreal in Canada and Connecticut in the USA.

  • Ben and Nicholas
    August 1996

    Ben and Nicholas


    We met on Ben's first day of university in Des Moines, Iowa." "Neither of us have had any other boyfriend

  • Toni and Mel
    June 1995

    Toni and Mel


  • Emma and Sarah
    March 2001

    Emma and Sarah


    We married ourselves on a deserted beach in Lesvos with only the fish as witnesses

  • Julie and Melissa
    April 1996

    Julie and Melissa


    When Jewel first proposed, I told her I look pasty in white and I ain't the marrying kind.  She then went about extending and enriching me beyond bel...

  • Walter and Thang
    April 1990

    Walter and Thang


  • Jen and Chris
    April 1991

    Jen and Chris


  • Daniel and Rob
    April 2002

    Daniel and Rob


    Loving + Laughing = Lasting

  • Eric and Jason          
    May 1992

    Eric and Jason     


    Both of our birthdays and anniversary fall within 5 days.

  • Jason and Scott
    April 1999

    Jason and Scott


    After 12 years we've learned not to sweat the small stuff, to talk openly and honestly and to not take each other for granted. After the almost 13 ...

  • Steve and Ian

    Steve and Ian


      Steve & Ian met through now defunct website Pinkboard 13 years ago, in 1998. After meeting for lu...

  • Jaie, Sam and Alex
    February 2001

    Jaie, Sam and Alex


    We are the definition of "average". We both grew up in suburbia, went to uni, met, fell in love, had a commitment ceremony, bought a house and had a b...

  • Judy and Ev
    September 1995

    Judy and Ev


    We met completely by chance when Judy happened to walk into a store I was managing, looking for her friend who worked there too. We clicked from the f...

  • John and Syd
    June 1972

    John and Syd


    Love and Affection know no gender.

  • Annie, Genevieve, Olive, Oscar
    2003

    Annie, Genevieve, Olive, Oscar


  • Grant and Kelley Drury-Green
    March 2000

    Grant and Kelley Drury-Green


    We had a commitment ceremony in 2002. Unfortunately it is not recognised.  We hyphenated our surnames at that time.

  • Austin and Shaun
    5 March 2002

    Austin and Shaun


    We’ve been together for 12 years and had a wonderful wedding in New Zealand 9 years ago. For us, we don’t feel we’re in a “same sex marriageâ€...

  • Jane and Lan        
    July 1999

    Jane and Lan        


    We became 'civilly partnered' under British law in March 2007. Our families and friends (gay and straight) came to the party afterwards - some came fr...

  • Sashi and Heather
    December 1998

    Sashi and Heather


  • Johnny, Darren and Noah
    October 1997

    Johnny, Darren and Noah


    During our first year as a couple, we spent every day together. We still love each other's company and believe our family deserves recognition, equali...

  • David and Jim        
    May 1999

    David and Jim        


    When you know you have found something unique, special and worthwhile you invest in it. The dividends are priceless. Even now, we are still learning m...

  • Nikki and Mel with their daughter Emelia
    December 1997

    Nikki and Mel with their daughter Emelia


    We believe we are soulmates and our daughter, Emelia, is the completion of our puzzle.

  • Steve and Brendan
    May 2000

    Steve and Brendan


    We met online interstate and moved in three months later

  • Augie and Andy
    February 1994

    Augie and Andy


    We were the first American same-sex couple recognised by the U.S. State Department to travel abroad as a diplomatic family

  • Michael and Justin
    October 1987

    Michael and Justin


    We have had a fabulous time and its not over yet

  • Kerry and Anna
    February 2000

    Kerry and Anna


    We've been together for over 11 years and still find each other hilariously funny.

  • Pauline, Anne, Max and Molly
    August 1991

    Pauline, Anne, Max and Molly


    Marriage is a state of mind.

  • Message of support from Lord Mayor Clover Moore

    Message of support from Lord Mayor Clover Moore


     The photographs of loving couples on this site eloquently demonstrates what I have known for a long time - that many lesbians, gay men and people of...

  • Simon and Luke
    August 1999

    Simon and Luke


    Who would have thought a random night with a cute boy at The Shift in the 90’s would have ended up domestic bliss some 12 years later!

  • PJ and Darren
    November 1998

    PJ and Darren


    We met in a best butts competition at the Wickham Hotel in Brisbane.

  • Geoff and Jason
    Dec 1992

    Geoff and Jason


    We have had a marriage ceremony in Australia, despite the fact it is not legally recognised

  • The first Sydney Billboard

    The first Sydney Billboard


  • Chris & Graeme
    November 1995

    Chris & Graeme


    Graeme and I met at the Red Raw in Melbourne in January of 1995 while I was traveling around Australia. We spent an incredible month together before I...

  • Chris and Dee
    1992

    Chris and Dee


    Any relationship should be like a never-ending hug. Embracing love, listening and compromise.

  • Michael, Cisco, Jimmy the wonder dog.
    August 1998

    Michael, Cisco, Jimmy the wonder dog.


    Amend section 60H of the Family Law Act

  • July 1995

    "The Rents" Cindy and Gab.


    We knew from the first kiss it was going to be a pash that lasted forever.

  • Tony and Trav
    January 2001

    Tony and Trav


  • David and Michael
    March 1999

    David and Michael


    We met on 19th March 1999 and had our commitment ceremony on 5th February 2005. We are strong together, great together and belong together. ...

  • Glen, Toby and Kevin
    May 1970

    Glen, Toby and Kevin


    Glen deserves a medal for putting up with crazy Kevin

  • Wayne and Ed
    October 1981

    Wayne and Ed


    When we met in 1977 we both had lovers.  In 1981, we did not. So, then we did!

  • Janet, Susan and Alex
    February 1998

    Janet, Susan and Alex


    We celebrated our 10th anniversary with 120 of our closest friends and relatives and we plan to throw a 20th.....and a 30th......

  • Lee and Sarah
    February 1998

    Lee and Sarah


    We were married in the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) Sydney on 3-6-2000, the only christian church that recognises our union in Australia

  • Jo, Penny, Jemima, Red and Pippi
    May 1993

    Jo, Penny, Jemima, Red and Pippi


    When we first fell in love we never anticipated the family we would be able to create. We are very lucky

  • Tammy, Justine, Milla, Tom
    2001

    Tammy, Justine, Milla, Tom


    Never underestimate the chances of meeting your soulmate on the internet.

  • Brad and Matt
    Jan 2003

    Brad and Matt


    At the time of this photo we are in our tenth year together.  We always wanted to wait for marriage to be legally available to us before having a ce...

  • Louise and Kate
    March 1984

    Louise and Kate


    It's been 27 years of love and now looking forward to the next 27

  • Jen and Jane
    September 2001

    Jen and Jane


    Be silly Be honest Be kind.

  • November 1998

    "Peanuts" - Carmen and Ally


  • Dane and Aaron
    February 2002

    Dane and Aaron


    We met at "Panthers" in 2002 and moved in together after a week!  We got married in San Francisco in 2008 and hope to have our marriage recognised in...

  • Scott and Christopher
    June 1999

    Scott and Christopher


    We were the first gay couple in Australia to be married in a proper Jewish ceremony

  • Alan and Liam
    Jan 2000

    Alan and Liam


 
Mary and Lil
1989
Mary and Lil        

Tommy and dane 2
March 2000
Dane and Tommy

Clay and Adam
August 2002
Adam and Clay

steve and jeff
1999
Steve, Jeff and their dogs Seth & Makita

kelly sam and charlotte 2
January 1994
Kelly, Sam and their daughter, Charlotte

Cathy and Jean
June 2001
Jean and Cathy

Byron and Jim
February 2001
Byron and Jim

Warren and Kerry
October 1983
Kerry and Warren

Juzzy and andrew main
1998
Andrew and Justin

Tony and Glenn
Oct 2000
Glenn and Tony

geoff and joe
January 1994
Geoff and Joe

Lindy and Christine
June 1993
Chris, Lindy and L.C.

Carlos and Jean
November 1978
Carlos and Jean

Mark and Craig
March 1995
Craig and Mark, the furry kids Oscar & Lucy

IMGPGAL2
15th April 1999
Angus and Glenn

JeffandMichael not EC copyright
April 1992
Jeff and Michael

Dunc and John
March 1987
Dunc and John

Kathy and Trudi
April 2002
Kathy and Trudi

Wendy and Shirley #2
April 1996
Wendy and Shirley

Peter and carlos
October 1987
Peter and Carlos

IMGP1356
Oct 1991
Drew and Chris, with Walter and Shirley

Grieg and Glenn
October 1986
Greig and Glen

BRad and Aaron
25th April 1993
Brad and Aaron

Aaron and Alf
January 2000
Aaron and Alf

Mary and Sandra
1994
Mary and Sandra

Phil and Pete
June 1992
Phil and Pete

Anika and Jane
October 2003
Anika and Jane

Vanessa, Louise and Leo
September 1999
Vanessa, Louise and Leo

Ronnie and Ainy
January 1998
Ronnie and Ainy

craig and leo copy_2
September 1990
Craig and Leo

julia_morris_th_17clrru-17clrsf
A message from Julia Morris

John and John
1960
John and John      

Stephen & Ian not EC copyright
August 1991
Stephen and Ian

Robert and BArry (no ec copyright)
2003
Bob and Barry        

kath lou and simon
September 1993
Lou, Kath and Simon

David and Brian
November 1971
David and Brian

adam and joe
August 1994
Adam and Joe

A message from Adam Elliot

 

Commitment Project Slide Show #2

Bernard and Edward
November 1977
Bernard and Edward

patrick and jeffrey
July 1981
Jeff and Patrick

Jeff and Graham (not ec copyright)
June 1980
Jeff and Graham

Ian and Geoff
November 1996
Ian and Geoff

Rod and David
February 1995
Rod and David

David K and Rob
August 2000
Rob and Dave

Fran and Sharyn
July 1991
Fran and Sharyn

Zoe and Linda
August 1998
Zoe, Linda and Lola

Ben and Nick
August 1996
Ben and Nicholas

Toni and Mel
June 1995
Toni and Mel

IMGP1463
March 2001
Emma and Sarah

Julie and Mel
April 1996
Julie and Melissa

Walter and thang
April 1990
Walter and Thang

Jan and Chris
April 1991
Jen and Chris

Daniel and Rob
April 2002
Daniel and Rob

Eric and Jason
May 1992
Eric and Jason     

Jason and Scott
April 1999
Jason and Scott

steve leadbetter 12th anniversary
Steve and Ian

IMGP1328
February 2001
Jaie, Sam and Alex

Evelyn and Judy
September 1995
Judy and Ev

John and Syd
June 1972
John and Syd

Annie and Genieve
2003
Annie, Genevieve, Olive, Oscar

Grant and Kelley
March 2000
Grant and Kelley Drury-Green

Austin & Shaun (not EC copyright)
5 March 2002
Austin and Shaun

Lan and Jane (no EC copyright)
July 1999
Jane and Lan        

Sashi and Heather
December 1998
Sashi and Heather

Johnny Darren and noah
October 1997
Johnny, Darren and Noah

David and Jim
May 1999
David and Jim        

Nikki and Mel
December 1997
Nikki and Mel with their daughter Emelia

A Message from Senator Sarah Hanson-Young

  "My Marriage Equality Bill would remove discrimination under the Marriage Act"

Steven and Brendan
May 2000
Steve and Brendan

Andy and Augie
February 1994
Augie and Andy

Michael and Justin
October 1987
Michael and Justin

Anna and Kerry
February 2000
Kerry and Anna

Anne and Pauline
August 1991
Pauline, Anne, Max and Molly

Message of support from Lord Mayor Clover Moore

Luke and Simon
August 1999
Simon and Luke

pj and darren
November 1998
PJ and Darren

Goeff and Jason
Dec 1992
Geoff and Jason

FINAL_TCProject Billboard ARTWORK
The first Sydney Billboard

© castro
November 1995
Chris & Graeme

Dee and Chris
1992
Chris and Dee

Michael and Cisco
August 1998
Michael, Cisco, Jimmy the wonder dog.

Cindy and Gab
July 1995
“The Rents” Cindy and Gab.

Tony and Trav
January 2001
Tony and Trav

David and Michael
March 1999
David and Michael

K & G
May 1970
Glen, Toby and Kevin

Wayne and Ed
October 1981
Wayne and Ed

Susan Janet and alex
February 1998
Janet, Susan and Alex

IMGP1192
February 1998
Lee and Sarah

IMGP1211editted
May 1993
Jo, Penny, Jemima, Red and Pippi

Tammy and Justine
2001
Tammy, Justine, Milla, Tom

Matt and Brad
Jan 2003
Brad and Matt

Kate and Louise
March 1984
Louise and Kate

A message from Mary-Anne Amies.

  "The Commitment Project is an inspiring collection of relationships of all different shapes and sizes. "

Jane and Jen
September 2001
Jen and Jane

Carmen_and_Ally
November 1998
“Peanuts” – Carmen and Ally

Dane and Aaron
February 2002
Dane and Aaron

Scott and Christopher
June 1999
Scott and Christopher

Liam and Al
Jan 2000
Alan and Liam

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