[News] [Australia] Let gays marry, say rallies and polls
Stephanie Stevens
Let gays marry, say rallies and polls
Local News, By Matt Akersten, 22nd November, 2010
New opinion polls are backing up what thousands of marchers at noisy
rallies in Melbourne and Brisbane at the weekend are telling Julia
Gillard – Australia is ready for marriage equality.
More than 1,500 people rallied in Melbourne on Saturday, while
Brisbane’s same-sex marriage supporters held their largest rally yet
with around 700 participants.
Meanwhile, a new Sydney Morning Herald/Nielson poll
<http://www.smh.com.au/national/gillard-would-lose-poll-held-now-20101121-182mf.html>
out today suggests 57% of 1,400 voters across the country would
support a move to legalise gay marriage.
Today’s result continues the recent trend of similar poll results, and
piles even more pressure on the Prime Minister to back down from her
“marriage is between a man and a woman” stance.
Colourful crowds carrying rainbow protest signs shouted in the streets
of Melbourne and Brisbane on Saturday, and Sydney is set for its Equal
Love march this weekend.
Unfortunately there was a vicious homophobic attack on two attendees
of Melbourne’s rally – an incident which the protest’s organisers say
highlighted their reasons for holding the event. Same Same’s coverage
of the Melbourne rally is here
<http://www.samesame.com.au/features/6152/Attack-at-Melbournes-Equal-Love-rally.htm>
.
“This has been a magnificent week in the fight for equal marriage
rights,” says Community Action Against Homophobia (CAAH) co-convenor
Ben Cooper, who is looking forward to Saturday’s march in central
Sydney. “Not only have significant inroads been made in the Labor
party and parliament for equal rights but the campaign has been backed
up by thousands of people on the streets – sending a clear message
that the community will continue to fight until we are equal.”
Sydney’s turn for action
Guests confirmed for Sydney’s Equal Love rally this Saturday include
Greens Senator-elect Lee Rhiannon, Labor senator Doug Cameron, Wear it
Purple founder Katherine Hudson, CPSU spokesperson Lisa Newman, Gina
Wilson from Organisation de Intersex Internationale, and popular drag
diva Joyce Maynge.
There will also be a wedding ceremony conducted by MCC Pastor Karl
Hand and couples will be invited get illegally married on the day.
“We have received a lot of support for this rally from people of all
walks of life,” says Cooper.
CAAH co-convenor Cat Rose agrees: “We are expecting the rally in
Sydney to be another huge success. It is clear that Australians are
determined to win this campaign, we won’t be going away until we win
full equality.”
Sydney’s Equal Love rally leaves from Sydney Town Hall after 1pm this
Saturday 27 November.
© 2010 SameSame Pty Ltd
http://www.samesame.com.au/news/local/6153/Let-gays-marry-say-rallies-and-polls.htm