British nationals David Bulmer-Rizzi and his husband Marco got married in the UK in June and then celebrated their wedding again in a second ceremony which took place in Santorini, Greece. After the ceremony the couple traveled to South Australia for their honeymoon.
While in Adelaide David had a tragic accident. He fell from a staircase, cracking his skull. He was immediately transferred to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where the doctors declared him brain-dead last Saturday.
However, same-sex marriage is not recognized in Australia, therefore David’s death certificate indicated that he had never been married, while his husband Marco was not recognized as his next of kin. “It was the most humiliating moment of my life,” said Marco to ABC, noting that the situation felt like an attack to his husband’s memory.
In the end, Nigel Bulmer, the unfortunate man’s father had to fly to Adelaide from London to receive his son’s remains. As he noted to ABC he was also shocked by the incident. “I didn’t think anything could hurt me more than I was hurting at the time and that really did. That was just — putting the knife in and twisting it,” he said.
Meanwhile, South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has assured the family that the certificate would be changed. He contacted Marco, offering his condolences and apologies in regards to the incident.
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