Thousands rally for marriage

Organisers are rejoicing after thousands rallied nationally for same-sex marriage, including a cluster of celebrities and politicians.
More than 6000 people nationwide took to the streets on Saturday in every capital city, with around 1000 rallying at Sydney Town Hall.
“It was a loud and vibrant demonstration, full of young people who wanted to stand up against homophobia,” event organiser and Community Action Against Homophobia co-convenor Cat Rose told Sydney Star Observer.
“We were pleased with the level of news coverage we received around the country too, with some pretty diverse news organisations taking note of some of the celebrities who got involved.”
In Melbourne, actor and gay and lesbian rights advocate Sir Ian McKellen attended, while a heavily-pregnant Dannii Minogue provided rally-goers with a pre-recorded message offering her full support for the same-sex marriage cause.
“Our Government continues to ban same-sex marriages, so gay lesbian and transgender communities remain second-class citizens,” she said.
“It is so important that gay people be given total equality, and that includes marriage.”
Victorian Health Minister Bronwyn Pike spoke at the Melbourne rally which was emceed by SSO columnist Doug Pollard. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young was also at the Melbourne rally.
Greens candidate for Wentworth Matthew Robertson, trans activist Connor Montgomery and CFMEU NSW secretary Andrew Ferguson spoke at the Sydney rally which was emceed by radio newsreader Geoff Field.
Rose said she hoped the celebrity involvement in the events would help raise awareness of the issue in the wider public. She said calls were already being made to line up speakers and supporters for the next rally in August which will be hosted by ABC comedian Wil Anderson.