The event, which was broadcast around Australia, made headlines around the country and indeed the world.
A decade later, Field reflects on his big day and how the issue of gay marriage has evolved since:
Last night, Jason and I had a quiet dinner to celebrate the 10th anniversary of our so-called “illegal gay wedding”.
It’s amazing how quickly the decade has passed since we very publicly tied the knot. We chose to make it public to raise awareness of the fact that we couldn’t legally marry, but despite that the ceremony was as real and important to us as any of our straight friends’ weddings.
You might be surprised that we didn’t throw a big party to celebrate the anniversary. We don’t feel we can do that until the federal government legislates in favour of same-sex marriage. Yes, we’re still waiting.
Jackie O hasn’t changed a bit. Kyle … maybe just a little.Source:Getty Images
My good friend and the member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich, says in many ways our wedding was the catalyst for the marriage equality campaign that is still running across the country.
Despite the fact that no government has had the guts to change the law, a lot has changed in the decade. Now almost 80 per cent of the public support our right to marry. Slowly but surely we are making progress.
When we tied the knot we were overwhelmed by support. The ceremony was broadcast on 2Day FM’s Kyle & Jackie O Show (when I was their out and proud newsreader) and replayed across the Austereo network. It was broadcast live on Seven’s Sunrise, covered in New Idea and the Sunday papers, and made the nightly TV news. We received more than 20,000 emails of support.
I can still remember the big day clearly. In the congregation was family, friends, supporters and many celebrities including the Australian Idol hosts, Daryl Somers, Carlotta, Kate Fischer, Chris Bath and Sonia Kruger.
Leo Sayer holds the hand of Jason Kerr as he performs at the wedding.Source:Getty Images
They were all gathered under a marquee at Circular Quay with rain tumbling down outside. Someone reminded me rain on your wedding day was good luck!
I arrived with my mum, who walked me down the isle. This was real.
Despite the cameras and the microphones there was a genuine dignity in the occasion. Our vows didn’t change just because hundreds of thousands were listening and watching.
Amazingly, our wedding singers that day included Human Nature, Ricki-Lee and 70s superstar Leo Sayer. Kyle behaved himself and gave us a hug, and the radio station pulled ads from its schedule as a mark of respect.
Jackie O serenaded us in a gorgeous peach dress. She tells me the wedding ceremony was one of her favourite moments on air.
It amazes me that the wedding had such an effect. People still stop me in the street 10 years later saying they remember the broadcast. Some say they even pulled their car over to the side of the road so they could listen and ended up being late for work.
Despite all the publicity and the positive response, we are still not seen as a married couple in the eyes of the law. It’s ridiculous really, when you consider Jason and I have been together for 22 years.
Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait another decade.
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