Canberra couple Nick and Sarah Jensen had hoped to spread the good word of the gospel when they appeared on the front page of a local newspaper vowing to divorce if gay marriage became legal.
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And that they may have achieved that. But not without instigating a backlash that has so far included:
- Being uninvited from their friend's upcoming engagement celebration
- A reply from Mr Jensen's brother
- A massive party in anticipation of the pair's divorce
- Fake dating profiles depicting Mr Jensen as a gay man
The Jensens are devout, practising Christians and Mr Jensen is director of the Lachlan Macquarie Institute, a partner of the Australian Christian Lobby. His first-person piece that came to national attention first appeared in Canberra's City News.
"My wife and I, as a matter of conscience, refuse to recognise the government's regulation of marriage if its definition includes the solemnisation of same sex couples," Mr Jensen wrote.
But the public outcry that came in the article's aftermath led to consequences for the defiant couple.
One woman, Annie Haggar, discouraged the Jensens from attending her upcoming engagement party. She and her fiance were high school friends with the pair and both attended the Jensens' wedding. But when it came to their own ceremony, they ultimately resolved to inform Mr Jensen that "it was best he didn't come" because he is "better at picking arguments than moments".
"I'm sure everyone already married or currently engaged knows exactly that feeling, and how joyous declaring and celebrating that with your family and friends is," Ms Haggar wrote in a piece published by News.com.au.
"I'm entirely certain Nick and Sarah remember this feeling, too - and it's a happiness Nick has decided some people should explicitly be denied. That offends me, and pretty much everyone I know."
Mr Jensen's own brother penned a reply, published by City News, in which he distanced himself from his sibling's views. But he also criticised the viciousness of the public reaction, saying the debate had "deteriorated" on both sides.
"I disapprove of what my brother has said, but I will defend to the death his right to say it. And your right to respond. But let's do so in a way that is constructive," Soren Jensen wrote.
And it's not just those in the Jensens' close circle that have registered their displeasure.
More than 143,000 people have now vowed to attend a mock party titled "Celebrating Nick & Sarah Jensen's DIVORCE!" The Facebook page for the event, hosted by Canberran Jesse Mount, has been inundated with happy snaps of same-sex couples, along with messages of support for marriage equality and condemnation of the Jensens' stance.
"They [the Jensens] have decided that being married together in a country where it's legal for a man and a man to marry, or a woman and a women, is just too horrible. They'd much rather be divorced and I think we should all support and celebrate in their decision when the date finally does come," Mr Mount wrote in the event description.
"We sure hope there won't be any backing out on their behalf as hundreds upon hundreds of gays and gay rights supporters come to rejoice in the parting ways of these narrow-minded citizens which so many of us are ashamed to call Canberrans."
Elsewhere, attempts to pillory the Jensens have led to an unknown Sydneysider creating a profile for Mr Jensen on the gay hook-up application Grindr.
"Married man soon to be back on the market," the fake profile announces. "Just looking for NSA [no strings attached] and must be discreet. Live in Canberra but in Sydney for a few days - love this gay city!"
For those playing at home, the profile describes Mr Jensen as a "bear" (gay slang for hairy, larger gentlemen).
Nick Jensen, through a representative from the Australian Christian Lobby, declined to comment for this story.
- with Kate Aubusson
