Thousands of people took to the streets on August 14 in support of legalising same-sex marriage and against the discriminatory policies of both major parties.
In Sydney, Peter Boyle said about 3000 people rallied at Town Hall before marching to Taylor Square. Comedian and host of ABC’s Gruen Transfer Wil Anderson chaired the event.
In Brisbane, Jim McIlroy reports about 1000 people rallied in Queens Park in support of same-sex marriage rights. The theme of the day was “Equal Love, Equal Rights!” The rally featured a group marriage of three gay and lesbian couples. The crowd then marched loudly through city streets.
More than 2000 people rallied in Melbourne, Sue Bolton said. Greens candidate for the seat of Melbourne Adam Bandt spoke. Cath Bowtell, Labor candidate for the same seat, also spoke in favour of equal marriage rights in a personal capacity.
Organisers estimated more than 1000 people took to the streets in Perth, Alex Bainbridge said. This was the city’s largest-ever rally for equal marriage rights. The speakers included Green Senator Rachel Siewert, one of five senators in the federal parliament to vote in favour of lifting the ban on same-sex marriage.
About 300 people marched in Adelaide. The crowd heard speakers from the Socialist Alliance, Greens, Democrats, Australian Sex Party and the Atheist Society. The crowd marched from parliament to the office of federal climate change minister Penny Wong, in response to recent comments in which Wong backed the Labor government’s same-sex marriage ban.
In Canberra, about 250 people rallied in Petrie Plaza, Farida Iqbal said. It was the biggest protest for equal marriage rights so far. The crowd threw water bombs at cardboard cut outs of Tony Abbot, Julia Gillard and Queensland Family First Senate candidate Wendy Francis.
Hundreds also marched in Hobart. where ABC.net.au reported that day candidates for the Greens, Democrats and Socialist Alliance knocked down a symbolic wall of discrimination. A rally also took place in Lismore.
In Wollongong, Chris Williams said about 100 people, mainly young, braved cold, wet weather to stand up for equal rights on August 12. Speakers included Jess Moore, Socialist Alliance candidate for Cunningham; Peter Moran, Greens candidate for Throsby and Rachel Evans, Socialist Alliance Senate candidate in NSW and activist with Sydney’s Community Action Against Homophobia. A spontaneous march ensued around the streets of Wollongong, to cheers from onlookers.
Photos from Perth rally. More pics and videos in our multi-media section