Weekend rally for marriage
The Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs is set to release its long-awaited report on the Marriage Amendment Bill today.
Same-sex marriage rallies will be held across Australia this weekend. Melbourne’s rally is on Saturday at the State Library.
Equal Love convenor James Vigus said the weekend rally marks the start of a year of action for same-sex marriage rights with the Victorian state election and the federal election both due in 2010.
“The response from the LGBTI community and wider society has been overwhelming,” Vigus said.
“Support has been flowing in from school and university students, from a record number of trade unions to individuals in the street and from across regional Victoria.”
Speakers at the rally include Victorian Education Minister Bronwyn Pike, Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby co-convenor Dr Anthony Bendall, Greens MLA Sue Pennicuik, the Rainbow Families Council’s Felicity Marlowe and National Union of Students queer officer Liam Byrne.
Southern Star columnist and gay journalist Doug Pollard will MC the event and, with drag king Rocco D’Amore and drag queen Swish Eveready, will fire up the crowd.
Anger at the 2004 ban on same-sex marriage has not diminished — this year record crowds attended the annual National Day of Action for same-sex marriage.
info: Same-sex marriage rally at State Library from 1pm, Saturday November 28.
