Modern Family co-star Jesse
Tyler Ferguson has pledged $10,000 to the campaign to legalize gay
marriage in Australia.
Ferguson and his husband, lawyer Justin
Mikita, in 2012 launched Tied the Knot, which raises awareness and
funds for marriage equality by selling unique bow ties.
“Tie the Knot has always focused its
efforts on marriage equality in the United States, but there is no
doubt in my mind that this is a great opportunity to bring attention
to the journey toward marriage equality that Australia is currently
embarking on,” Ferguson
said in a statement. “We have great faith in their strength
and perseverance … so much so I am personally pledging $10,000
toward the marriage equality efforts in Australia.”
The announcement comes less than a
month after advocates suffered a devastating legal blow.
The federal government challenged a
marriage law approved by lawmakers in the Australian Capital
Territory (ACT). Australia's highest court struck down the ACT's
marriage law just days after it went into effect, saying that it ran
afoul of the federal Marriage Act, which limits marriage to
heterosexual couples.
The Labor Party has pledged to
introduce a same-sex marriage bill if Australia's ruling Coalition
offers its members a free vote.
“Like many marriage equality
advocates, we were saddened to hear that Australia's High Court
recently overturned the law that legalized same sex marriage in their
great country,” Ferguson added.