ADAM SUTTON

Adam Sutton is the natural horseman behind All Man Horsemanship – a business involving the taming of wild horses, achieved through communication techniques which build a partnership that closely resembles the relationships that exist between horses.

Having worked on-set of the film Ned Kelly, he trained Heath Ledger in working with horses and a friendship struck. Ledger continued his impressive career into Brokeback Mountain – Ang Lee’s acclaimed adaptation of the E. Annie Proulx' story about a forbidden and secretive relationship between two cowboys. Having read the script, Ledger rang to tell his friend, "I've just read this script and it sounds a lot like you".

Another friend, journalist Neil McMahon, thought that the stories bore an uncanny resemblance. He convinced him Adam to tell his story, the article appearing on the front page of the Sydney Morning Herald with the headline ‘Meet Health’s mate, the real gay cowboy’. Subsequently, ABC TV’s Australian Story made a documentary about Adam’s life and family titled Since Adam Was a Boy. This followed into teaming up with Neil McMahon again to write a moving memoir Say It Out Loud: Journey of A Real Cowboy.

Adam continues to live in the Lower Hunter region of Cooranbong, New South Wales. He was selected nationally, as one of three competitors, for Equitana: The Way of the Horse – Australian Horseman Challenge, in Melbourne November 2010.

Why have you chosen to represent this same-sex law reform campaign?

These law reforms are as important to me as they are to the greater whole community as they help move forward attitudes and perceptions of equality. I see them as a change in human rights which is beyond a same-sex issue. The campaign has brought me forward in understanding how the law was and how it has changed for the better.

What sorts of same-sex discrimination have you or anyone you know experienced?

The discrimination I experienced came in the form of innuendo and slander. When I was a riding in the rodeo, I’d often hear slurs like, "Pansy gay boys can’t sit on a horse,” or "aren’t tough enough to play the game”. It was great to have broken that stereotype and to have won respect. Country culture is pretty macho; often gay culture feels like it is restricted to the cities. I’m glad that in sharing my story and myself that that has brought more tolerance to the rural community.

A friend of mine was recently turned away from a country motel with his [same-sex] partner at check-in – no vacancy. You find that discrimination anywhere though – city or country.

How do you think these reforms will make a difference to your life, or to the lives of those close to you?

Entitlements for same-sex couple – like superannuation: All of these are stepping stones towards same-sex marriage and recognition of families. I was once old-fashioned in my views thinking that marriage was between “man an woman”. That was just part of my upbringing. Now I can’t see why love between anyone should be barred. It’s time to move forward.

Why do you think people should wear these 85 law reforms with pride?

It’s great to have lots of different people from across different aspects of the entire Australian community come together as one under one sexy rainbow of diversity!

Why do you think this is a huge step forward for Australia?

Better to take steps forward than back! We’re not entirely there yet. Again: It’s stepping stones towards same-sex marriage and recognition of families.

What do you like about your T-Shirt design?

Green's my favorite colour. I like the simplicity and cleanness of the graphic design. I wore it out to a party and received plenty of compliments!

Back to top