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How Powerful We Are: Behind the scenes with one of Australia's leading activists
by
'Incisive, blistering and tender. Sally is one of our most valiant warriors.' - Clementine Ford, author of FIGHT LIKE A GIRL and BOYS WILL BE BOYS
'Proof that the personal is always political - and love really can save the world.' - Jamila Rizvi, author of NOT JUST LUCKY
'Rugg's passion and insight make for a propulsive tale' - Sydney Morning Herald
Even if you're not an a
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Kindle Edition, 272 pages
Published
August 27th 2019
by Hachette Australia
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Start your review of How Powerful We Are: Behind the scenes with one of Australia's leading activists
An excellently written, well researched book on the Marriage Equality campaign. It details Sally’s work at GetUp, as well as many people throughout history who fought for LGBTIQA rights. It is angry yet gentle - an insight into just how fucked up the postal survey was, and how much work went on to bring the yes vote.
I liked how Sally wrote about the impact of the postal survey on LGBTIQA+ people, their children and families, and how she noted that there are many other LGBTIQA+ issues to give at ...more
I liked how Sally wrote about the impact of the postal survey on LGBTIQA+ people, their children and families, and how she noted that there are many other LGBTIQA+ issues to give at ...more
I’m so glad I read this book. I’m a queer woman but I was largely insulated from the negative effects of the postal survey in Australia by the love and support of family and friends. I had times of immense anger and sadness (every time I saw No campaigners being given a mainstream platform to spew hateful lies; driving to work in the morning and seeing a group of people dangling a No banner over a freeway overpass - they really didn’t have anything better to do with their morning than fight to d
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Absolutely brilliant. Intelligent, articulate, thoroughly researched, honest, entertaining and engaging.
This was a tough read. I mean, it was well written, it just chronicles a lot of horrible events, and what concessions/compromises were made. All those beautiful souls put through such torment. The worst people given way too big a platform to spout their hate. I know it was meant to give hope, about what we can achieve when we work for what's right. But I'm mostly sad, and anxious thinking back to those days, and the battles still to come.
Sally Rugg is a treasure though! And it's a good and impor ...more
Sally Rugg is a treasure though! And it's a good and impor ...more
In 'How Powerful We Area' Sally Rugg gives an insiders account of the campaign for marriage equality. I enjoyed the insights into campaign strategy, with Rugg drawing a very compelling picture of just what it takes to achieve successful change. The very human insights into egos, conflict and personal distress that Rugg brings were also fascinating; a reminder that this campaign - like many - had profoundly personal implications.
It was important for me to read this. I missed so much due to living overseas. It protected me though from a lot. Along with the bad I also missed the good. I didn't get to experience being a part of this historical moment.
I wrote assignments about marriage equality in high school, even before I quite knew I was queer. I debated my parents. It felt so far away.
I wrote assignments about marriage equality in high school, even before I quite knew I was queer. I debated my parents. It felt so far away.
Brilliant.
Sally really captured the shit fight that is and was our government. I am now married to my wife, thanks to the whole LGBTQI+ community and everyone who was involved in getting us there. What a monumental effort. We still have a long way to go.
I encourage everyone who doesn’t fully understand the topic to have a read.
Sally really captured the shit fight that is and was our government. I am now married to my wife, thanks to the whole LGBTQI+ community and everyone who was involved in getting us there. What a monumental effort. We still have a long way to go.
I encourage everyone who doesn’t fully understand the topic to have a read.
Terrible. I am a Yes voter, however I cringed throughout this book at the man bashing and constant overly exaggerated harm felt by the author and her group. No doubt that words do harm, but this is no excuse to fill half a book with sobbing.
A fascinating look behind the scenes of the hard work it took to get a Yes majority back in the marriage equality postal survey.
4.5 stars
Sep 17, 2019
Malcolm McPherson
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
marriage-equality
A friend is planning to marry her partner next year but she is uncertain whether it matters. Her son is keen. He has seen up close and personal how his mothers have been discriminated against because they were not married - and could not be. Another dear friend, a gay middle eastern man, told me a couple of months ago that marriage equality is unimportant except to Thai ladyboys who want to look fabulous on their wedding day. After fourteen years, I am still having these conversations. But I can
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Superb in every single way
This book is an incredible and in-depth look into the fight for marriage equality. Sally Rugg paints a picture that is inspiring and heart wrenching, and completely perfect.
This book is an absolute must read for any LGBTQI Australian, who will no doubt feel a deep and indelible connection to the words and emotions in these pages. Not only, any other Australian would gain so much from reading this book, learning and experiencing such a personal and visceral story will ...more
This book is an incredible and in-depth look into the fight for marriage equality. Sally Rugg paints a picture that is inspiring and heart wrenching, and completely perfect.
This book is an absolute must read for any LGBTQI Australian, who will no doubt feel a deep and indelible connection to the words and emotions in these pages. Not only, any other Australian would gain so much from reading this book, learning and experiencing such a personal and visceral story will ...more
A book written by a paid white Getup campaigner (this matters because those of us in the community who were the NO campaign’s target didn’t have this type of resourcing or support) complaining extensively about how sexism hurt her yet openly admitting her campaign strategy was to throw trans people under the bus to win the marriage equality plebiscite. An uneven and self obsessed book that jumps around to much to keep interest. Reading this made me respect Going Postal even more which I read las
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Such an important book! Thank you Sally Rugg - that was amazing. You made me think, you made me remember- the good, the not so good and the funny 😄 You taught me things and showed alternative ways of looking at this very challenging (and triumphant) chapter in our history. And most importantly of all thank you for your words that led to tears of joy at the outcome and tears of sadness for the pain experienced by our LGBTIQ community. I highly recommend this book!
An important contemporary telling of the social movement to marriage equality in Australia. This captures the spirit and stories of people and the LGBTIQ community, and it’s written with feel.
Amazing, amazing, amazing. A great insight into the campaign for marriage equality in Australia.
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