Wednesday night’s Equality Dinner was a chance for 100 guests to enjoy a fancy meal in Darling Harbour while raising money for the marriage equality campaign.

But as the night wore on, one particular campaigner stole the show – and saved a life.

Following a tough week in the spotlight reacting to tennis great Margaret Court’s anti-equality commentary, outspoken openly-lesbian human rights advocate Dr. Kerryn Phelps gave a rousing speech addressing critics of the gay marriage campaign and offering hope with quotes from New York mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Phelps reminded her dinner audience that as Bloomberg recently welcomed marriage equality in his state, he had said he was certain that similar measures would eventually roll out across the nation: “The question is not if marriage equality will come to all 50 states; the only question is when. I believe that day will come sooner than most people think.”

Lengthy applause for Phelps’ speech at the $300-a-seat dinner capped off an explosive week for the influential former Australian Medical Association president. Hers was the loudest voice against Margaret Court’s opposition to gay marriage and homosexuality in general, even suggesting that the Margaret Court Arena should now be renamed.

Phelps’ view proved divisive, with many tennis fans labeling Kerryn herself hateful for criticizing Court so severely.

Attendees of Wednesday evening’s dinner were reminded that emotions were running high when they spied a collection of weird posters (shown above and below) stuck up outside. They luridly announced: “WANTED FOR HATE / KERRN PHELPS / REWARD: $300 DINNER”.

The crude posters were rapidly removed, and Phelps later tweeted: “The posters went up around Quay restaurant last night before I spoke at the marriage equality dinner. Haters getting uglier… I am told police helped take the posters down.”

The drama didn’t end there. As the black-tied guests tucked into their meals, cries rang out from the corner of restaurant. A woman was choking and the table was starting to panic.

Level-headed Phelps rushed over and swiftly gave the Heimlich maneuver, quite possibly saving the grateful dinner guest’s life.

Kerryn Phelps – respected activist, elegant speaker… and lifesaver. What a legend.

See Same Same’s photos from the Equality Dinner below.