From an early age we’re told that that the dream is to find our soulmate, have the big wedding, and then live happily ever after.

But for a long time, that fairytale was one only straight people could aspire to.

On the day same-sex marriage was finally legalised in Australia, Stuart Henshall was proposed to live on national television.

He and his fiancée became the first couple to ever get married at Sydney Mardi Gras, tying the knot on top of a giant wedding cake in front of the world’s cameras.

But the fairytale was short-lived. Stuart talks to Jill about the complex emotions of fighting for the right to get married, only to see it end in divorce.

And they discuss whether gaining access to this traditional institution has imposed heteronormative pressures on LGBTIQ+ people to get engaged and marry, even if it’s not what they really want.

Stuart also talks about the power of shame and his journey to self-acceptance, and how he’s learned to love his solo life.

You can follow Stuart at @dvynepr.

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Well Enough Alone is a Spare Room production.

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