By Daniel Lane
As the demand for same-sex marriage to be legalised in Australia gains momentum, Alex Blackwell, the national cricket team's vice-captain, has revealed she will marry her partner Lynsey Askew – an English cricketer – in England after the upcoming women's Ashes series.
Blackwell is regarded as one of the world's best female cricketers. Her willingness to speak out on issues such as homophobia in sport, has earned her widespread respect among her teammates, Cricket Australia and the community.
Australian cricketer Alex Blackwell and her partner Lynsey Askew will marry in England after the women's Ashes series
She and Askew, who have been in a relationship for seven years, will marry in front of their families and friends on September 3, three days after the last game of the Ashes series.
"We're really excited about the future," she said.
"For Lynsey and I to make this commitment is special, and while no one knows what the future holds, to have that strong foundation [of marriage] will only allow for our relationship to blossom even further."
Askew, 28, represented England in eight matches between 2006-08. Blackwell thanked her for her love and support when she was named the NSW female cricketer of the year last April, but the 31-year-old expressed regret that it was illegal for same-sex couples to get married in Australia.
"It disappoints me that it's not a reality for us in Australia, but things are moving very quickly, and hopefully by the time we get home it's recognised," Blackwell said from England.
Liberal MP Warren Entsch plans to introduce a private member's bill allowing same-sex marriage to Parliament in August. Labor's Terri Butler will second it.
Blackwell said recognition for same-sex marriages in Australia would bring to an end many people feeling as though they were not considered equal members of society.
"It's something I've thought about as an issue for many, many years," she said.
"Even as a young person, when I didn't believe marriage was important to me... what I did know as a young person was marriage inequality sent a message that you're not quite good enough, you're not quite equal to others.
"That message from society... that you don't quite deserve the same rights... sends a very dangerous message to young gay people coming to grips with their own sexuality at a difficult time of their lives.
"That's why I think it's great Australia is getting behind it, and there's that ground swell of support for equality.
"I sense people think the law sends the wrong message. We know the number of people who suffer mental illness is higher among the gay community and the suicide rate is higher.
"I was strong as a young person, but I realised the fact society did not consider your love equal was negative and potentially damaging to young people struggling with their sexuality."
Blackwell was in Britain in May when Ireland voted in favour of allowing same-sex marriage.
"That was exciting, and it had such an impact in Australia there are questions being asked: 'why are we lagging behind on this issue?"'
Blackwell is only the second international cricketer to come out as gay at the height of their career - the other was English wicketkeeper Steve Davies.
Blackwell said keeping such a central part of her life a secret would have clashed with her basic values.
"It's not healthy to hide who you really are," she said.
Blackwell wore the national team's uniform in this year's Gay Mardi Gras. She is also an ambassador for the Pinnacle Foundation, which helps children to finish their education if their coming out had financially disadvantaged them or cost them the emotional support of their family.