A "mock wedding" of queer couples was held in Wollongong on March 18, protesting against Australia's legislation banning lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people from getting married.
About 200 guests attended and witnessed six couples tie the knot for equal marriage rights.
The event was organised by newly formed group Equal Love Wollongong. Co-founding member Paola Harvey told the crowd: "The marriage act seeks to class the relationships of LGBTI people as 'unnatural' — this is just blatant discrimination. These same arguments were used to justify racist laws that prevented black and white people marrying each other."
"It sends the message that the relationships of LGBTI people are different and ultimately lesser", she said.
"Nothing but full marriage equality will do."
The event was held to promote the national protests that took place around Australia on March 20.
About 500 people turned out for a vocal and militant rally in Sydney. The action was organised by Community Action Against Homophobia.
In Brisbane, 500 people marched through city streets after a lively rally in Queens Park.
Speakers asserted the right of the LGBTI community to access full marriage rights, because "the right to love must be equal for all". The rally supported continuing the campaign until equal marriage rights under law are obtained.