It’ll be decision time for gay marriage this Saturday. Labor’s Annual Conference takes place in Sydney, and there’s two ways you can act to influence the result.

Since so many Labor leaders from across Australia support marriage equality, it’s set to be a key issue at the conference. The Conference is a historic opportunity for Labor to help achieve marriage equality by adopting a binding policy in favour of changing the Marriage Act.

The vote will be very close. According to some reports today, Julia Gillard has been personally lobbying Conference delegates to oppose any change to Labor’s marriage platform. Religious groups opposed to equality have also organised large-scale, letter-writing campaigns.

You can make a difference right now by emailing your support for marriage equality to all the Federal Labor representatives in your state, many of whom will be delegates at the National Conference.

Click here to add your voice. Tell your federal Labor MPs and Senators that you say ‘I do’ to marriage equality.

MARCHING FOR MARRIAGE

And don’t forget the gigantic protest for equal rights to be held in Sydney this Saturday 3 December from 12 midday, marching from Hyde Park North to the conference venue – Sydney Convention Centre.

The march has the support of Australian Marriage Equality, Sydney Mardi Gras, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, GetUp!, Amnesty International Australia, and City of Sydney Council – who will fly rainbow flags from the Town Hall rooftop this weekend.

Equal Love Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra will be mobilising their supporters to travel across the country to be there in Sydney for the event.

“December 3rd is an opportunity to part of history in the making,” says Australian Marriage Equality’s Alex Greenwich. “By adding your voice of support at the rally you will be encouraging our supporters within the conference to strive for a binding party policy for marriage equality.”

Rally co-organiser Cat Rose adds: “It has been such a thrill to watch momentum and enthusiasm for this day grow.

“Equal Love groups across the country have been organising their supporters to make the trip and we continue to hear reports from individuals booking their flights. The Labor Party are about to hear it loud and clear that we’ve had enough of homophobia. We are looking forward to a history-making day.”

Rally at 12pm
Saturday 3 December
Hyde Park North (Sydney)
March to ALP Conference at Sydney Convention Centre

BELOW: Aussie-born Ryan Carter now lives in Canada, where gay marriage is legal. Ahead of the ALP conference, he shares his thoughts on marriage equality.