marie claire magazine: 'Barefoot in the Park' - social photos

This week, marie claire magazine Australia hosted an exclusive twilight soiree, supported by Scholl, at Lindsey House in Sydney, called 'Barefoot in the Park.

Guests checked-in their shoes upon arrival at the shoe-cierge and then took to the heaven-like white carpet barefoot. Over 100 VIP guests enjoyed champagne, croquet on the lawn and live fashion installations with a theatrical edge.

Guests included: Sally Obermeder, Kate Peck, Michelle Bridges, Steve “The Commando” Willis, Anna Heinrich, Imogen Anthony, Renae Ayris, April Rose Pengilly, Carissa Walford, Carla Zampatti, Bianca Spender, Terry Biviano, Anthony Minichiello, Leona Edmiston, Shelley Horton, Seven producers Michael Pell and Sarah Stinson.

Some social photos below of the gorgeous guests:

Marie Claire Australia, July 2012: Marriage Equality + local paper speaks out

The newest edition of Marie Claire Australia - the July issue, out Wednesday - features Rachael Taylor on the cover, proudly wearing a sleeveless tee with the words "I Do".

She joins other celebs - including Jennifer Hawkins, Missy Higgins, and Megan Gale - supporting the marriage equality cause.

What also impressed me this morning is seeing that marriage equality made the cover of my local paper.

Such a hot button topic making its way to the cover of suburban, mostly conservative local paper? Bravo editors!

The father featured here, Geoff Thomas - says:

"I grew up homophobic," he said. "I'm a plumber. I spent nine years in the army; I'm a Vietnam veteran. When I grew up, I was taught that gays were perverts — basically."

Mr Thomas said about a year before his wife died, his son told her he was homosexual — came out to her on the phone.

"She handed the phone to me and said, 'Geoff, your son has something he wants to tell you'," Mr Thomas said.

"He said, 'Dad, I'm gay'. He was very nervous about it. I said, 'You're my son and I love you'. I said, 'I'm going to have to reappraise my views'."

You can read more here: 

http://www.fairfieldchampion.com.au/news/local/news/general/father-fights-for-equal-rights/2574046.aspx

This piece speaks to me more than any other national, global campaign... because it starts at grass roots level. It also affirms what I believe: until the gay marriage issue affects you personally - your own son, brother, cousin, friend of a friend is gay - you can't possibly know how it feels to want the same rights as everyone else.