I BELIEVE in democracy. I believe in freedom of speech.

I do not believe in discrimination of anyone - regardless of their gender, race, religion or how they choose to love.

I believe the world would be a much better place if we truly practised these beliefs, not just proclaimed them.

Having said all that, let me start with this. Australia has voted and the result (regardless of breaking it down into regions) was yes.

So, last week I thought that this would be the end of the hatred (on both sides) that I had been witness to over the weeks leading up to the plebiscite.

How wrong I was.

But my complaint is coming from a different path to the discrimination we had all heard about in the past weeks.

There are many men in this region who own farms, believe in Christianity, are married and raise families.

Suddenly, last week I was witness to a vicious attack against these men and the way they have chosen to live their lives.

Most of these men (and I didn't say all) do not believe they are more moralistic than the next person.

Most do not believe they are high and mighty and most did not wake up last week and decide to vote no out of hate.

This vote was never designed to point the finger at people and prove right or wrong, it was a democratic vote that was based on love and equality.

So, because the majority of Maranoa voted no, and (apparently) the majority of Maranoa is made up of male farmers who are Christian, married and raise families, this now means these men should be targeted.

Isn't this now the same argument, just a different group of people?

Well, I for one will not slip quietly into the night. I am proud that I live in the Maranoa region.

I am proud that I am married to a man who works hard to provide a better life for myself and our family.

As I stated, I do not believe in discrimination - we are all human.

We are all entitled to live on this earth without fear or persecution from any one person or group.

Isn't that the basis for love and equality?