Thousands march for same-sex marriage

Local News, By Matt Akersten, 15th May, 2010

Over 4,000 people took to the streets in Melbourne, over 1,000 rallied in Sydney, and many more protested in Brisbane, Wollongong, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth this afternoon as the ongoing fight for same-sex marriage continues across Australia.

Lord of the Rings’ wizard star Sir Ian McKellen stirred the Melbourne crowd outside the Victorian State Library with his coming out story, telling the crowd why the ongoing struggle for LGBT equality around the world is so important to him. One of the biggest petitions ever presented in the nation, 100,000 signatures from Australian citizens demanding equal marriage rights for all Australians was presented to Senator Sarah Hanson-Young. The assembled protesters also enjoyed a show from drag diva Pollyfilla (pictured).

Meanwhile in Sydney, gay radio personality and newsreader on 2dayFM Geoff Field MC’ed a 1,000-strong rally outside the Town Hall. An audio message from Dannii Minogue pledging her total support for the casue was played to the cheering throng. Armed with a mixture of signs, banners, and a giant rainbow flag, the rally then made its way noisily through the streets of central Sydney to Hyde Park, where a 100,000 signature petition supporting same-sex marriage was handed to a Green MP to present to parliament, before gender-free campaigner Norrie May-Welby performed a show.

Community Action Against Homophobia (CAAH) co-convenor Ben Cooper tells Same Same he’s very happy with the crowd numbers in Sydney, which are easily double those of the last rally back in March.

Other major Australian cities also held marches, with many including light-hearted ‘kiss in’ photo opportunities.

Another day of protest action is planned for 14 August, marking the anniversary of the date former Prime Minister John Howard sought to outlaw same-sex marriage Australia-wide.

Check out Same Same’s gallery of images from this afternoon’s rally in Sydney.

UPDATE: Photos from the Melbourne rally are here.

And take a look at our gallery from Brisbane’s same-sex marriage protest event here.

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Your Thoughts

Mann

said on the 17th May, 2010

http://mymothandi.com/wp-files/100515_march15.jpg A petition of one hundred thousand names was handed over to a greens representative. http://mymothandi.com/wp-files/100515_march16.jpg MC, Geoff Field from 2dayfm watching gender activist Norrie May-Welby. The highlight and reward for the excellent march was Norrie’s beautiful and solemn song. http://mymothandi.com/wp-files/100515_march17.jpg Hir lyrics were paralleled by a physical redressing from a woman’s outfit to a man’s attire on stage. All the while, Norrie held the same, strong-willed stare and asked what it means to be a man or a woman. I liked the bit where Norrie appeared to be completely stripping but really just had skin-coloured leggings and a strap on dildo. I’m pretty sure every gay guy’s eyes were immediately on that thing. Geoff Field looks very pleased with the presence of that penis. http://mymothandi.com/wp-files/100515_march18.jpg Ending hir performance collected, bold and head held up high. In one performance, the crowd was hushed from a cheery, chanting group to one that was rather touched and in quieter contemplation after a strong eruption of an applause.

Mann

said on the 17th May, 2010

http://mymothandi.com/wp-files/100515_march19.jpg Performances followed to entertain us as we sat in the shade of the setting sun. It was a great day. What do we want? Marriage equality! When do we want it? Now!

gigabytegrrl

said on the 18th May, 2010

Hey Mann, your photos are fantastic! Can we use some of these to promote the next rally? I'm collecting good material to put together videos and photos professionally for promotional use on the web, print media etc. Let me know! gigabytegrrl@hotmail.com Cheers, Heidi

rudeboy86

said on the 19th May, 2010

Yeah I know it really is starting to give me the shits....it is done. As for those pillocks who question my ability and experience and the dedication as an activist I am just going to have to give them the occasional serve every so often when it comes up in discussion.

pioneer_to_the_falls

said on the 19th May, 2010

Like me! I was listening to the song (Pioneer to the Falls) as I was signing up to SameSame. I couldn't come up with anything else so I choose the song title. I thought I'd be able to change usernames once my account was activated...

pioneer_to_the_falls

said on the 19th May, 2010

Yes Pi, you're still fairly vague in my mind after 6 months. I still think of you as Mr Skarsgard but I'm not sure. But as for me, I'm not a good swimmer, I'm older than 'Oldie' and I'm almost as charmingly grumpy as 'Grumpy'. Ah Skarsgard... might re-use that avatar. Though I'm not digging the new brunette look. Where did "Poolboy" come from? I assume "Jackson" has something to do with your name irl?

pioneer_to_the_falls

said on the 19th May, 2010

haha, nah. I just liked the South Park portrayal of Sarah 'horse face' Jessica Parker :)

Mann

said on the 21st May, 2010

Hey Mann, your photos are fantastic! Can we use some of these to promote the next rally? I'm collecting good material to put together videos and photos professionally for promotional use on the web, print media etc. Let me know! gigabytegrrl@hotmail.com Cheers, Heidi Sent you an email saying: YAY. Don't know if it made it to you so I'll say it here too. If you want larger versions for print, just give me a poke. All the best with your next rally. It was a great day and I really enjoyed marching along from Town Hall to Hyde Park. It was super well organised and if you guys ever needed volunteer help, you should post online. I'm sure waves of homos will definitely help you including *me.*

local_warming

said on the 22nd May, 2010

looks like as usual the socialist nutters have taken over the protest and scared away the masses. I reckon they care less about the cause and more about the fight itself. And their own agendas as a political group. If they did care about the cause they wouldn't insist on saturating the protest with their banners and propaganda, yep. they are parasites. attatching themselves to causes (hijacking) to gain noteriety for other non- related causes, so they can say "well most of the people there who i spoke to also support the other issues"

local_warming

said on the 22nd May, 2010

Really sad to see so many people having a go at people who dare to care about other issues too. . then having other rallys for those specific issues, rather than hijacking rallys, so you can insert the crowd numbers there as automatic support for your other issues not related to gay marrige

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