Rally this Saturday

Thousands of Sydneysiders are expected to attend a marriage equality rally at 1pm at Town Hall on Saturday as debate over same-sex marriage in Australia continues to grow.

CAAH Sydney co-convenor Ben Cooper said it had been a great week for the fight for equal marriage rights in Australia following large rallies that attracted hundreds and thousands in Brisbane and Melbourne last weekend.

“Not only have significant inroads been made in the Labor Party and in 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,” Cooper said.

“We have received a lot of support for this rally from people of all walks of life. We are excited about the upcoming demonstration and believe it will be a success.”

Speakers at the rally will include Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon, Wear it Purple founder Katherine Hudson, Community & Public Sector Union spokeswoman Lisa Newman, Gina Wilson from the Organisation de Intersex Internationale, and Labor’s Senator Doug Cameron.

Cameron, who is co-convenor of the Federal ALP’s Left faction, made headlines last month when he publicly called for an about-face in the Gillard Government’s position on same-sex marriage and called for the party’s national conference to be brought forward to debate the issue.

The Star Observer can reveal the conference will be held in Melbourne on the weekend beginning December 2 in 2011. It is understood that the ALP Left will push for the party to adopt same-sex marriage as policy, while the ALP Right will push for a conscience vote on the issue.

info: Rally for Marriage Equality is at Sydney Town Hall, 1pm, Saturday, November 27.