Sydney played host to largest marriage equality rally in Australia’s history
Image: Image: Instagram / cup_kween.
Sydney played host to the largest marriage equality rally in Australia’s history over the weekend, with roughly 30,000 people in attendance.
The crowds – adorned with rainbow flags, glitter, and pro-equality signs – gathered at Town Hall, before marching through Sydney’s streets.
There were many speeches at the rally, including one from Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, who apologised that the government’s postal survey was going ahead.
“I’m sorry for all of the hurtful and stupid things which have been said and are going to be said until we win marriage equality,” he said.
“I’m sorry to all LGBTI Australians because we have one more mountain to climb, but we will climb it together.”
Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek also spoke, and said she was there for LGBTI youth.
“It’s not just about the love between two people, it’s about the love that everyone in this crowd has for every other Australian,” she said.
“I’ve got constituents of mine who have been together for 60 years – they deserve to get married if they want to.”
Brisbane also held a marriage equality rally over the weekend, which saw thousands similarly advocate for equal rights.
Thank god. I have been so afraid during this ‘respectful debate’ because some people have been entirely missing the point, confused by the misinformation and scare tactics that have come from some of the people in the ‘no’ campaign. I just hope that when the time comes, people make informed decisions and vote based on the impact the law definitely has and who it effects in practice, rather than based on fear induced by conspiracy theories about gender erraure or whatever the latest nonsense the ACL is coming out with. The Christians I know, even if they dislike gay people, are all voting ‘yes’ for two reasons. 1) God supposedly gave us a choice and to keep people from being able to choose is against God. And 2) we live in a secular society where church and state are separate.
The only way to protect principles like freedom of speech and religion are to protect the fundamental principles which underpin them, such as equality before the law. Voting ‘no’, contrary to what Abbott things, poses the real threat to all our freedoms, not voting ‘yes’.
If we have a resounding ‘no’ on marriage equality, that will be a precedent for Australian society choosing to uphold inequality rather than fighting it. Just because, in this case, it is gay people who are missing out, people like Tony don’t care, but what if next time it turns out that Christians are at a legal disadvantage, instead? I’m sure Tony would be all about protecting equality before the law if the question at hand effected him, instead of his poor sister.
If we have a resounding ‘yes’, it will solidify our Australian values by providing a fair go. So if anyone else turns out to be lacking in the rights department, they will be able to rest assured that Australia cares about that stuff and won’t stand for it. Let’ be honest, christians like Tony can’t afford to be making any more enemies right now after all the child abuse scandals. Ha! (BTW that isn’t a threat it is a joke. A joke in poor taste but a joke none the less.)
I’m not in Sydney but this looked great on the news, well done all.
I also saw a grab of the new Yes advertisement featuring a young woman ringing her grandma about the postal vote. Fantastic stuff. It made me burst into tears. But it’s great. For the first time seeing that ad made me optimistic about this whole debacle.