An Australian man’s campaign for acceptance of homosexuality has made its way to the top.
Prime minister Tony Abbott has responded to a viral video campaign by Australian man Lachlan Beaton, saying it's OK to be gay.
Beaton's heartfelt video, in which he talks about struggling to accept himself as a gay man, went viral earlier this year.
Since then, he has been speaking to the media and meeting with politicians to try and spread the message that homosexuality is nothing to be ashamed of.
"Those that are against against marriage equality never really acknowledge that there could be many young people out there who listen to the debate and feel totally excluded because all we ever hear is no, no, no," Beaton told BuzzFeed News.
"My campaign has been about wanting to see politicians come out and say to young people, you are equals, you are accepted, you are part of the community."
Talking to 2UE radio on Monday, Abbott said he was "happy to say" that being gay was totally fine.
Prime minister Tony Abbott.
Stefan Postles / Getty Images
Abbott said he hadn't seen Beaton's video personally, but that it had been raised with him by radio personality Alan Jones.
"He made the point to me – privately it has to be said – that what this gentleman wants is someone to say that it's OK to be gay and look, I'm happy to say that. I'm very happy to say that," Abbott said.
