Rabelais.org.au | La Trobe University's Independent Student Newspaper, est 1967

Sunday 5 September 2010

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On Saturday May 15, over 5000 rainbow-clad Melbournians took to the streets to demand same-sex marriage rights.

Over 1000 marched in Sydney, and several hundred in Brisbane, Perth and Canberra. Adelaide also held an illegal wedding ceremony.

As the thousands of protesters gathered on the steps of the State Library, they roared with enthusiasm as they were treated to a unique performance by local three-piece girl band Jungal, then proceeded to squeal with delight as Pollyfilla took to the stage, performing Lady GaGa’s rendition of the Lennon classic ‘Imagine’.

Sir Ian McKellen, of Gandalf fame, also made an appearance at the rally with his Waiting for Godot co-stars Roger Rees, Matthew Kelly, and Brendan O’Hea. McKellen and his co-stars helped to hand over the petition of 100,000 signatures to Senator Sarah Hanson-Young to be tabled before Parliament.

Kath Larkin, the National Queer Officer of the National Union of Students, gave a rousing and motivational speech before the protesters took to the streets with their witty placards.

"Does our Rudd Labor government care that this change in legislation would save lives?" Larkin yelled. The crowd responded with an enthusiastic "No!" as Larkin continued, "So we have to make them care - and that is what we begin to do when we hit the streets."

This is only the tip of the iceberg for Equal Love, with another rally planned for August 14, as well as meetings, speak-outs and comedy nights still to come throughout the year.

Larkin stated, "Equal Love has called this year a National Year of Action – the campaign will be redoubling its efforts to put pressure on the politicians in this election year. Wherever the government goes during the election campaign, we will be there demanding equal rights!"