Magda calls for change

“If this country can’t practice tolerance, how can we expect any other country to be capable of tolerance,” comedian Magda Szubanski told Melbourne’s marriage equality rally today.

Organisers estimated 3000 to 4000 people attended the Equal Love rally held in front of the State Library.

Szubanski said Australia had an international responsibility to show tolerance by allowing same-sex marriage.

“We live in one of the most affluent, prosperous, harmonious, tolerant countries in the world,” she said.

“Not everyone is lucky enough to live in the sort of country we live in.”

“There are people who live in parts of the globe where simply being gay will mean they face the death penalty.

“So as a society, we have to look at ourselves. We call ourselves the lucky country and we are the lucky country but with that good fortune comes a responsibility.

“If this country can’t practice tolerance how can we expect any other country to be capable of tolerance?”

Other speakers at the rally included The Project host Charlie Pickering, comedian Tommy Little, Greens deputy leader Adam Bandt, Australian Marriage Equality spokesman Carl Katter, Workers Out spokesman Ben Convey and Equal Love campaigners Ali Hogg, Louise O’Shea and Anthony Wallace.

The rally was followed up with a march through the Melbourne CBD.

The next Equal Love rally is planned for August.

INFO:www.equallove.info