Gladstone rallies for marriage rights
Gladstone is the latest in a growing list of regional Queensland towns and cities that are speaking out for gay marriage, with a rally planned for this weekend.
Residents from one of the state’s largest mining centres will take to the streets to voice their support for the national marriage equality movement.
Organiser Dylan Carmichael is eager to take to the streets with a growing number of supporters.
“I certainly am very excited about the rally, and from the number of people asking me about it, I’d say there’s a good level of interest and anticipation of the event,” Carmichael told the Star Observer.
“I am amazed at just how widespread the support seems to be; we have mothers, fathers, siblings, friends, work mates and people who just can’t believe it’s not allowed already. Support has been absolutely fantastic,” he said.
Rallies in support of same-sex marriage and LGBTI rights were held in the Queensland towns of Toowoomba and Mackay in October.
Along with adding another voice to the same-sex marriage movement, Carmichael hopes the rally will combat the perception of homophobia in regional Australia.
“Gladstone has a reputation, being an country industrial city, of being severely homophobic. The fact that this rally has the level of support that it does is testament to the fact that Gladstone has come forward in leaps and bounds. Homophobia isn’t gone from this town, but it has certainly diminished,” he said.
Despite a few negative comments posted to the Gladstone Observer’s website and a recent encounter with a homewares store owner who suggested Carmichael “keep that shit to [himself]” after asking to post a flyer for the rally, he has been comforted by the vast amount of support he’s received.
He said he hopes the rally will raise the profile and awareness of the Gladstone LGBTI community and encourage more people to be comfortable with being themselves in the town.
“[The rally will give] people a place to make some queer connections they might not otherwise have the chance to make. Hopefully it could then be easier for LGBTI folks new to the area to find the community I’m just finding now after four years,” he said.
The rally will start at 1pm at Apex Park on Saturday, November 17.
INFO: Event details here.
