Wow. Just wow.
When I decided I would march for same-sex marriage, I had no idea it would feel like this. Breathtaking. More than 10,000 people of all stripes and sexual orientations swarmed into Hyde Park North (Sydney) for the marriage equality march. Take a look at the photos I snapped:
It's important to get the signs juuuuust right. My friends and I got to it this morning.
The hope of change to the Labor Party police turned out to be well founded. But there was a massive catch. Labor voted to change the platform to one of support, but still opted to have it put to a conscience vote which means the change isn’t binding and will still (probably) fail.
Of course, hopes will rise again if Tony Abbott lets the opposition have its own conscience vote on the issue.
Will he? The debate continues.
As for the march itself, what an experience. We filled the streets from Hyde Park to Darling Harbour in a seemingly never-ending line of people. As we marched through the city centre and snaked back around, people were still leaving Hyde Park.
Those who weren’t marching but shopping stopped to cheer as we came through, taking photos and generally staring in awe.
I think we made ourselves noticed. Oh yes.
Did you go, take photos? Add them in the comments!
PS: I may have misjudged it, but my sign was meant to be sung to the tune of ‘Ace of Base’. Silly me.
Comments
145 Comments so far
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Lots of anti- same-sex marriage commenters are doing so under ‘Anonymous’. Interesting; stand up and be proud of your beliefs either way.
Rick, I wish I could have been there – it looks and sounds amazing. Hopefully Labor’s decision will be followed by a Liberal conscience vote and an eventual result for you, and everyone in love. (Unfortunately I spoke to Abbott on Monday and it doesn’t look promising).
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Amazing stuff like this makes me truly miss Sydney! Really wish I could have been there for this…
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We really should be allowing gay marriage because it will help from an adoption point of view, all the gay couples can adopt the babies/children out there coz the hetero couples have their own kids.
People really need to look at this from all different perspectives, it could be a mutually beneficial arrangement.
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I don’t support same sex marriage. It is morally bankrupt and not what nature intended. Why do so many homosexuals struggle with their identity? They know within themselves that what they are doing is inherently wrong, it has nothing to do with whether or not others accept or reject what they choose to do.
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+1
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Really? I think they struggle because the community makes them feel like there is something wrong with them not because they know it’s wrong to be gay. People are born gay, they don’t decide to become gay so why punish them for being different to you?
Too many people stand behind pieces of paper in a book written 2000 years ago by men who thought the world was flat. If that isn’t a good reason to question EVERYTHING in the bible then consider the first animals quoted as being ‘created’ in the old testament – cows. We all know cows came weeeelllll after dinosaurs, and why aren’t the other planets and solar systems included in this biblical creation? I’ll tell you why – because man made that book up to control the masses. If a person was actually talking to God he would have given the full story of our planet and solar system. And of course there is the entire ape, caveman, modern man scientific proof that further debunks the bible.
If you take away the bible from the issue of gay marriage what other reason is there to be against it?
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I used to think that I was cool with gay’s. That it didn’t bother me what other people ‘chose’ to do. I used to think that as long as they didn’t get married, or be allowed to have children, or make out in public, or come onto me that gay people were o.k.
Then I had a baby and realised that she couldn’t care less if she has a male & female ‘Mum & Dad’ as long as she is well fed & clothed & loved. I realise now that my partner & I ‘choose’ to not be married, & this is our right. How awful it must be for couples to not have that ‘choice’. I used to think it was unnatural to see men kissing men, or women kissing women, I’ve since realised that the only unnatural thing is me, thinking it was weird for a couple to show their love in public. I used to deny that I was ever homophobic, and in retrospect, obviously I was. I don’t know why, but for some reason I was intimidated or scared by homosexual people. I realise now that in the same way I don’t ‘choose’ to be heterosexual, homosexual’s probably don’t ‘choose’ to be gay. So to all homosexual’s & heterosexual’s out there who would be offended by how I used to feel – I’m sorry. I am willing to admit that I was wrong. That I was ignorant & closed minded. Obviously I don’t think these things anymore, and I am willing to stand up for everyone – regardless of sexual orientation – to have the right to marriage & children. I hope that the people out there who think the way I used to, will have a think about why they feel that way, and if they realize that, like me, THEY are the ones with the problem, maybe they will consider changing their way of thinking.
Sorry for this being so longwinded – in short, I’m sorry, I was wrong.
Peace xox
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What an amazing day it was. So great to feel part of something so strong but in saying that, we shouldn’t have to parade people through to streets for something that’s so obviously not a decision to be made by a group of mostly middle aged heterosexuals.
Who are they to tell me that my relationship doesnt’ deserve the same recognition as theirs.
We’ll keep fighting until we’ve got equal rights. If you’re sick of hearing about it, change the law.
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VOTE EQUALITY. Really, that’s all it comes down to. By not allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry, the stigma continues. When they are viewed as equal then homophobia can start to be eradicated. I can’t wait to see the day when I explain to my children that I was part of the push for equality… and they’ll laugh and say that they can’t understand why it was an issue (much like us now, with black slavery!)
As for the children issue. If a kid has 2 loving parents, that’s one more than I have. My Dad (aka my sperm donor.. since that’s pretty much all he has been since I was 10) is useless and my Mum has raised my brother and I. We had father figures, by way of family friends etc so I don’t see the difference for a lesbian or gay couple. They’re sure to have opposite sex close friends who will be pseudo aunts/uncles.
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My response to a point about that on my FB wall when I linked Rick’s open letter to Julia Gillard last week:
I think kids have the right to parents who love them and care for them. Whether that’s like me on my own with Katharine, you, your wife and your kids, my friend, her wife and their kids, a bloke, his husband, their kid’s birth mother being in the picture and having a close relationship, as long as the kids are loved and cared for, that’s the priority.
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I’m gay, I have been with my girlfriend for 2.5 years. I will marry her and we will raise some amazing children together. It makes me feel sick that people whom are STRAIGHT believe they are better than me and deserve more from life then I can have right now. I will not give up the fight and I am ashamed by mankind sometimes – grow up and see that I love her and that’s why we will marry (when we are ready) and not for any other reason.
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On Saturday at the march I saw a sign “I’m so angry I made a sign” well I’m so angry I left a comment
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Just as heterosexual marriage is nobodies business but the couple who enter into it, so is gay marriage. It has absolutely no impact on anyone else in society, so why not change the law? Gosh this makes me angry.
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I just saw you commenting on the issue of same sex marriage, the ALP’s policy change and the response of different religious leaders. I am a christian and have a gay brother. I believe that marriage is a civil issue and should be legislated as such. However, I also value our democratic society and the opportunity for all people to hold their own view. I find it disappointing that it seems more and more free speach gives way to discrimination of those not holding the popular view point. I would like to see equal opportunity for all australians to love, marry or believe how they wish.
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Although I have always believed in equal marriage rights I never came close to understanding the emotional toll it must take on gay couples until a recent conversation with an aquaitance. After getting married in October this year, the acquaintance asked me when we would be starting a family. I replied that my husband and I had mutually decided not to have children. The breeding acquaintance smugly questioned why we would bother getting married then. I was shocked and hurt and only at that point I was able to get close to understanding what it must feel like to not be able to legally commit to the one you love with all your heart because of society’s expectations on what these unions must entail. I would be devastated if I was not allowed to marry my soul mate because we didn’t want children. I imagined what it would be like if you couldn’t marry someone because of their race, or an age difference. That would be discrimination! So isn’t not allowing gay marriage discrimination?!?
Thank you mr acquaintance for this understanding you have shown me in trying to offend me.
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Mia made the comment this morning stating that same sex marriage is not a spiritual or religious institution, maybe a look to what the bible states about marriage and how important this is to many faiths for that matter. Now I must say I am not homophobic I don’t hate people that choose this lifestyle, and I hold no I’ll thoughts for any member of the public!
It’s a shame that the minority of Australians see changes to the majority, I now feel that my value for the origins of marriage have been corrupted while the minority then get a victory! This is a sad day in the history of the labour party and Australia!
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“I don’t hate people that choose this lifestyle”
How can people still believe that anyone *chooses* this lifestyle? Did you choose to be straight? No, I don’t think so. It works the same way for gay people.
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heaven help us if every one takes the thought that we are born with certain biases…I will go to the extreme but there are heaps of people out there that are attracted to young girls and boys, and yes this is illegal…and before anyone gets on there high horse…there are many behaviours, that were once illegal and classed as morally wrong but today are classed as “normal”.
God help a nation that accepts EVERYTHING…God help the generations to come where everything is morally ok!!!
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What a load of rubbish! Are you comparing homosexuality to peadophilia? Where do I begin….how about the issue of consent and the fact that children cannot give consent and that an adult relationship is between two consenting adults (gay or hetero). Oh and in the old testament it was considered holy and sacred to not marry and to only love God – if you wanted to reach heaven, but people still did it anyway! There is also evidence that historically marriage is rooted in paiganism
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“Maybe look at what the Bible states about marriage” OK.
1 Corinthians 7:1-9
1 Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
8 Now to the unmarried[a] and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
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So what’s your point??? Read the entire passage and see that Paul states if you can’t have self controll of you sexual Urges you should not marry, if you can do this devote yourself to. Prayer etc are you saying that you are devoting your self to prayer?
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A majority of couples who get married in this country do so by a civil celebrant, ie not in a religious ceremony. Marriage is a religious rite only IF you believe it to be so. I’ll respect your right to your beliefs and demand your respect for mine.
In short: if you don’t like gay marriage, don’t have one.
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Here is the problem….everyone has taken what was once a sacred event and bastardised it!!! If you want have some form of legalised union go do it but don’t screw up what was intended for man and woman!
I need to state that I do not have any prejudices to any race, colour, creed, sexual preference etc…. I have many gay friends and many friends from other cultures and countries…this is not a bash against anyone just an opinion…as we have all learnt this week we are all allowed to have an opinion! problem is we all think that our opinion is the correct and right one!
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Understand this: Marriage is now a LEGAL institution in this country, not a religious one.
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Yes and how sad it is that marriage these days holds NO value…Just have a look at the divorce rates in this country…Sad thing is that it has become legal and frankly people don’t hold the value that it deserves! Maybe if it was reinstated with the importance that was historically placed on it there would be less screwed up kids and families…???
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I don’t think marriage started off as sacred, as romantic as that sounds. It was more a legal contract, usually more concerned with land & assets.
Yes you are entitled to your opinion, but you shouldn’t be allowed to impinge on someone’s rights as a human being.
Also I wonder if your gay friends know how you feel?
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Sad how you see my comments impinging on others rights, but yet the enormity of such decisions made is a significant impingement on mine and yet I am the one that has to change the way I think??? Are you seeing some hypocrisy in this?
Yes my gay friends do know the stand I have in relation to this and they respect me because of it. They understand that I can like someone as a person, but prepared to be honest and yet still respect People as a human…problem here is you think I am evil because of what I say which makes you exactly what you believe I am!!! Think about it…..
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You’d like to retain the word “marriage” for something that happens in church and have some other word for those unions that are ‘only’ legal? I could almost live with that – at least we wouldn’t be discriminated against on the basis of sexual preference – if it weren’t for the fact you’d then be discriminating on the basis of religion instead.
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But here in lies the point, if your not of a faith that encourages such a union why would you want to be included in it? It makes a mockery of both mine and your beliefs! Mine in that marriage has been made a mockery of, and yours because you are going through a legal process that has deep connections to a faith that historically has been anti homosexuality, personally I would not want any tie with something that goes agai st my belief system so for me it so for me it simply doesn’t make sense!
And to mention being discriminated against for religious beliefs… Have a look at the history of the Christian faith and see how many people have lost their lives for their belief, I would think that this is the ultimate in discrimination and removal of human rights. I am discriminated against for my beliefs and my way of life, but I see no one moving aside to make sure my needs are met to such a point, and to be frank I don’t expect them too!
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Hate to tell you this but Christianity didn’t invent marriage. Marriage rituals were around a long time before Christianity. In fact they have been around long before any of the modern religions. You can’t lay claim to it. No religion can. Humans were forming pairs, bonds and family groups when we were still knuckle dragging primates.
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That may be the case if you have no belief or true faith in God the creator, and so believe in creation, a theory that was later denounced by Darwin himself!
And so again my belief has to be hidden and challenged, yet if I am to state my belief re homosexuality to be immoral I am seen as a bad person, discriminating against people’s rights, while a the while my right to a belief is consitantly negated by others rights, I look forward to the day where there is true equality across all sections of all communities, it’s only when everyone accepts everyone will we truelly have an equal society, problem is this will never happen, neither for me or for you because our beliefs are galaxies apart!
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Uppie, where in the Bible does it claim that Christianity invented marriage?
Even if it does claim that marriage is purely religious, wouldn’t that technically be Judaism?
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I hope this beautifuilly written column speaks to you.
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3714394.html
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At the end of the day the debate is nopt about marriage, its a matter of expectation of people like me to change my views, to support a view that says same sex relationships are fine, natura,l and the way its meant to be. I believe that this is incorrect and this is not the way nature/God intended it to be! I write this knowing that I will be crucified for such a statement! I know expect to be picked to pieces because of my views, I exect that my beliefs be challenged, and as one person put it, Demand” for me to respect others. I in no way expect people to accept my views beliefs and or opinions, but Ido appreciate people to be tollerant both ways, respecting me while I respect others! I am in no way homophopbic and I maintain many friends from many sections of the community of whos beliefs I do not subscibe to.
If my beliefs are wrong on the day I die I have nothing to loose!!! But if I am right I have much to gain and many have much to loose.
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http://emilyclaresimpson.wordpress.com/2011/12/03/love-is-love/
woops forgot to attach this earlier, my friend got some incredible shots of great posters, the march etc.
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I went shopping in Pitt street that day and saw the march so I decided to join in . I think it is important that the Government sees that us straighties also support this cause .
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You’re one of the awesome people I mentioned below! Very cool, thanks for joining!
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i think it would be great to look at the coverage from all the media outlets. certain channels showed really negative footage while others (or really just the ABC) seemed to capture the spirit of the day a bit better.
i am hoping that the final outcome will be marriage equality, but it seems there is a bit of work to do now to get there.
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Yes, I was quite puzzled by the Today show’s reporting today – it was written like it was a fringe group of crazies disrupting the ALP conference. Very strange.
Although, having been part of peaceful and violent protests alike, I am quite used to the media’s portrayal of any kind of action like this. It’s absurd.
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have to say the moment when people on the street started clapping…it was amazing! my friend and I ended up right up the front of the march and there was this moment where the march formed a kind of u-shaped snake and looking down a road we could see all the people still marching, I just cannot even explain how incredible that feeling was. marriage rights here we come!!!
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I remember that moment! Looking down the street and they were still pouring out of Hyde Park. Wooooow.
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My favourite moment was someone’s child marching beside me leading the chant.
What do we want?
Marriage equality!
When do we want it?
NOW!
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He was adorable! He was more excited than me! I was so proud to be a part of it
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So proud of you Rickster. WISH I could have been there.
Was with you all in spirit (and on Twitter).
xxxx
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Next time, Mia?
(But hopefully we wonn’t need one.)
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I was there in spirit. I have signed the petition & I made sure I sent emails. I find it ridiculous that my husband and I can be married, but my sister and her girl-friend (who have been together for nearly 20 years now) cannot.
It is something I have been very vocal about for quite some time
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Jeez – I think gays should be allowed to get married and be as miserable in their marriage as all us married folk are – do not discriminate on pain and bitterness – lets all be allowed to share the disappointment of divorce, the feeling of being trapped, the misery of compromise and every other marital delight…
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Umm, not all of us are miserable.
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I don’t agree with same sex marriage. I think it is THE MOST ridiculous idea … ever!
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Even more ridiculous than this cheerleading dog costume?
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ha ha Rick, good comeback!
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Oh, ok. Well if YOU think it’s ridiculous, I guess it must be. Of course, it all makes sense now. I mean, your argument was so well-resarched and logical.
C’mon guys, let’s put our signs down and go home. Anonymous doesn’t approve.
*walks off dejectedly
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okay then!
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I was there in spirit – made sure my sister knew and a representative from their household was sent. I’m so happy it was so successful!! Australians can be a marvellous bunch. Nice to read a bit of feel-good news.
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Wish I’d been there yesterday Rick
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I am all for same sex marriage being made legal. But I’m not sure where I stand on gay couples having chidren…and I wonder if this is where this law is leading…I’m quite conflicted in my own mind about the idea of same sex couples being allowed to use IVF/adopt…
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Can I ask why?
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To be honest I’m not exactly sure, it’s just something that I can’t seem to decide on. I think that a mother and father and children is the ideal family unit and I know all the arguements about heterosexual divorce rates and child abuse that get brought up…and obviously they are far from ideal for children, but I don’t see that as a reason to allow other family circumstances which are not ideal. I am trying to keep an open mind on this, any opinions are appreciated!
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Watch this Claire. It will answer some questions for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VnEexIhBTU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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I believe that the main issue that a child with gay parents would face would be lack of acceptance from their peers and others about their unusual family structure. I strongly believe that gay marriage should be made legal. This would be a big step towards same sex parents being accepted as a normal part of our society, and that would be a good thing for their kids.
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Pfft as if Jen, if you think that ‘bullying’ or a little bit of unacceptance from schoolkids is the only problem for gay people having kids then you really need to start doing your research before posting on here.
Kids need a Mum and a Dad. There a things provided from both sides that the other one really can’t match. Mums are more emotional and loving (not that the dad doesnt love their kid of course), however children get 80% of their encouragement from their dads.
gays can get married, sure, but if they are bringing kids into it. That is a whole other story.
Think about it. If you had to live with just your mum or your dad (assuming you grew up in a regular family structure) for the whole of your life, no influence whatsoever from the other, would you be able to choose?
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A male gay friend once told me that in general he believe that lesbians should be able to have children, but that male gay couples shouldn’t as in his experience most gay men are too selfish for children.
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Keep the stereotypical generalisations coming!
Jen – “the main issue that a child with gay parents would face would be lack of acceptance from their peers and others about their unusual family structure.”
WHAT IS A USUAL FAMILY STRUCTURE THESE DAYS??
Nicky – “Mums are more emotional and loving (not that the dad doesnt love their kid of course), however children get 80% of their encouragement from their dads.”
SAYS YOU – BUT THAT’S NOT THE SAME FOR EVERYONE. FACT.
ClaireC – “male gay couples shouldn’t as in his experience most gay men are too selfish for children.”
OH MY GOD.
NO doubt he met a lot of selfish men who didn’t have time for him and/or were not in committed relationships etc. But come on, let’s not presume that everyone wearing the same hat is the same person!
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Hi ClaireC, glad you are open and honest with your views. I am a heterosexual female, married, working Mum with kids. I fully support gay marriage AND equality for gay couples in that they should be able to have a family if they so wish. For me, the child(ren)’s best interest are paramount, it’s not about “what is the ideal”. I believe a child will thrive and flourish in a loving family environment regardless of whether they have a mum and a day, 2 dads, 2 mums, are raised by grandparents, raised by an uncle and/or an aunt, are adopted, and so on. I don’t see that a gay couple are any different in terms of being able to provide a child with love and support and all the things it needs, so why should we discriminate and not allow them the right to have children!?!?!? Glad you are keeping an open mind, and this is just my own personal point of view, but I think a gay couple is just as capable of providing an ideal and loving family environment as any one.
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Well said Jane
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Thing is Claire, they already can have kids. They dont need to be “married”.
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That’s true. In Victoria, the law was changed a couple of years ago to allow single women and lesbians to access IVF through donor sperm. The only difference is, they don’t get any Medicare rebate, unless they are also “medically infertile”.
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I agree, im all for gay marriage – about bloody time- but I think the issue of children needs to be about the needs of the children, not people who want children. Amanda Vanstone wrote an interesting piece today you may be keen to read:
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/take-it-as-wed-all-children-need-male-and-female-role-models-20111204-1oddm.html?rand=1323002746672
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A perfect reminder that there are beautiful people everywhere, ready to stand up for what’s right.
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I wish I could have been there!
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I vote for equality too. And most of my straight friends
and state teaching colleagues also would.
I’m straight. Was married. Everyone should have the same rights.
We all pay taxes, well most of us.
Why do we think it’s ok to exclude a group of Australians?
Listen up pollies, this is not going away.
And most young people agree. Even if they’re now too young to vote,
they soon will be.
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I love the fact that the anti-marriage rally had four hundred people. The pro- marriage equality rally 10, 000 plus. Are you taking note politicians ?!! Equal rights = vote winner.
I am straight, I vote and I want marriage equality.
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I don’t get who they’re trying to appeal to with being so difficult about marriage equality. Conservatives aren’t generally voting for Labor anyway, and they’re continuing to erode their traditional support of progressive people to the Greens with their stances! Don’t get it.
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I know Kris, the swing in the last election away from the ALP was not toward the right, but towards the left…. I don’t get it.
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Anti marriage rally?? Really?? I haven’t kept up with the news, so didn’t know there was one but, omfg… I find it mind blowing, that 400 people got up one morning to vote against love!! Why!!?? If any part of this is ridiculous, that would HAVE to be it!
I hope that this is over soon, I don’t want to have to explain to my sons why there’s a law against something that isnt wrong, 2 people loving each other is not wrong, how can it be…. Yet laws are made against things that are wrong…. How to explain this to a child…
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Oh, beautiful. Makes me cry, but in a happy way. Someone needs to make us a poster of this day.
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Sydney people should be so proud of themselves! Showing such care and respect for everyone in your community is what makes life really, really good.
Thanks for the photos … nearly as good as being there
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I so wish I could have been there! I’m in Perth. But I am so so happy about the turn out and the energy and just…the vibe. So proud!
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This has been a momentous day, and something that we shall all look back upon in years to come. I wasnt able to make the march (a fact I shall rue for a long long time) but I did make it to the rally. The atmosphere was incredible – I wish it could be bottled, capped and distributed amongst the coalition. There was so much love, joy and camaraderie it made me feel glad to be alive. xxx
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My little straight family went. Soooo proud to be there supporting such a fundamental human right. I took a minute of video of the good chanting but have no idea how to share it.
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Man I wish I could’ve come. Ended up crashing for the arvo in bed with KDot. Stupid sick boobs.
People power is quite the rush though, isn’t it?? Wonderful feeling to take part in something like this!
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Intoxicating!
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Here’s some more photos to add to the gallery
Miss T and I had an awesome day!!
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And another…
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One more
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Yeah!! So much fun. How excited I am in that first pic pretty much captures my mood for the day
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That first pic is my favourite! The flag kept falling on our heads and we just kept chanting and laughing our heads off!
At least we got a bit of shade
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Today was wonderful. I am sorry I didn’t stay for all of it, but I stupidly stood near the speakers at the beginning and couldn’t shake my headache! I am so thoroughly happy though to have been part of this historic day. I met and chatted with wonderful people including a couple who had flown all the way from Perth to be there and also another girl who had flown up from Melbourne to be there too. Everyone was so friendly.
I don’t know how to articulate how happy I am as a heterosexual to stand up and shout for this basic human right and to see many other hetro couples supporting this cause too. The tide is changing, thank God.
PS….God love Aunty Shirley!
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This makes me happy! XD XD XD XD
It’s inevitable. At some stage. I hope y’all recognise that
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This is amazing. Amazing!
Sadly I couldn’t march. i’m currently living in a country that is miles away from legalising homosexual sex, nevermind marriage. But I’m not permitted to be political here or I would be deported, so I can say nothing!
The sooner this becomes law, the better!
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hi rick, did you get annoyed at the large socialist alliance banners at the rally? I saw them on the news and thought that it looked like they were hijacking a cause that has support across the right/left political divide. I’d worry that people might think it was a minor lefty issue rather than an issue about rights for all.
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YES! Normally I couldn’t care less, but they were pestering and trying to sign people up AND the part that REALLY annoyed me was when we were marching through the city my friends and I just happened to get stuck in their crowd and one of their chants involved yelling ‘fuck off’ really loudly. I mean, I swear with the best of them, but we were in public and there were kids around and worst of all: what kind of bloody argument or debate are you having when you’re telling people to fuck off?
I cringe at how much that made the rest of us look bad because every single other person there was awesome and polite and lovely.
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I thought that would be the case- they were like that at uni!
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Your mention of the banners and their shenanigans (even before I read your reply) reminded me I get to contend with them at uni again as of next year. Oh goody.
They act like they’re the only ones who think about equality. I don’t play well with the hardcores, even though I’m pretty well as left as they come.
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Apparently the Channel 7 footage of the rally was of that chant, not all of our peaceful ones. Grr
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Why on earth were they yelling fuck off??? Firstly what for and secondly, do they really think that will win friends and influence people?
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Exactly why I couldn’t be part of them at uni, Faybian – while many of the Socialist left are lovely, awesome people, the loudmouth bovver boy types take over and alienate, well, everyone. They do it in meetings of their own people as well, and wonder why people drift away, can’t be bothered and stop supporting them.
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I go to the regular equal love rallies here in Canberra and they do the same thing. It makes me so mad! And they set up a table trying to sell their newspapers and talk about other, unrelated issues that they are trying to push!
Grrr.
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Ugh. I remember them being at a Canberra rally, too. They started talking to me and asked my opinion on certain issues and from that concluded that I must be a socialist. I’m pretty damn far to the left but I’m not a socialist in actuality. But man they are annoying and I hate how they takeover at Equal Love rallies.
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Well we may not have seen each other but you managed to get my feet in a photo!! Underneath that giant BIG ASS RAINBOW FLAG (photo 30), my feet have orange pants, Rose’s have blue.
SUCH an amazing day!
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How were we so close and yet so far away? Grr!
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Well, we were UNDER the flag
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Haha go us!!
I had the best day marching and I felt like a cheerleader all over again
I have sticker sunburn to prove it!
Marriage equality is important and LGBT people should be allowed to marry those they love! I was so happy today I could’ve married T, pity she’s already married – lucky fella!
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Maybe he’ll share, hehehe
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hahaha I can totally see our bright pants in photo 30!!
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Thank you you gorgeous wonderful people for marching. I’m sad I couldn’t make it, but I’m glad so many came along.
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Ace of Base is the *band*, but what *song* were you thinking of?
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‘The Sign’ of course! You know: “I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes. I saw the sign!”
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Oh, look, that just makes sense!
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I loved it! It was a fun, caring, happy atmosphere with kids, dogs, prams, wheelchairs… families of all descriptions. Some of my favourite signs read, “I didn’t ask him to Civil Union me”, “Henry VIII had six wives, I only want one” and “Don’t tell me I can’t register for David Jones”. I saw Rick and Lucy, but disappeared before I could get trapped into a pic. In Hyde Park, the couple in pic 31 were being photographed by a bunch of professional-looking photographers so I took one too. When I saw the ‘bride’ later at Darling Harbour, I SMSed her this pic.
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Here is a great pic of the crowd taken fromthe balcony of theconventioncventre. I think it’s only about 2/3 or so of who was there, as the crowd extends further to the left.
http://www.australianmarriageequality.com/wp/2011/12/03/private-members-bill-to-propose-same-sex-marriage-law/
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Looks much bigger here than it did in Hyde Park. I was a bit disappointed there with the numbers but it did seem to swell a bit as the day went on. Still I can help but feel it was a big opportunity and more people could have shown up … BTW I was there and am a straigh mum of 2. So a big supporter ….
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Oh, Rick … that is just INCREDIBLE. Let’s hope the message finally gets through!
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Favourite part? When people shopping in the CBD randomly joined in. And those who didn’t at least stood there and applauded. It was a wonderful feeling of … solidarity.
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I liked the two elderly ladies standing outside the Hilton holding signs saying “I do… support the right to marry”. They were getting plenty of hugs from marchers!
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I saw them and I got a tear in my eye. Just an amazing feeling to be part of it today.
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Must’ve been an indescribable feeling.
Australians are awesome.
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This was my favourite bit too!
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Yes, you dodged the picture bullet! Next time. It was lovely to meet you too!
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And this is my t-shirt of the day.
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What does it say? It’s kind of hard to read.
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“Equal rights should be guaranteed, not voted on.”
(It’s easier to read when you click on the pic to make it larger.)
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My husband took our three kids today (I had prior engagements). What a wonderful experience for them to be a part of. We think it is important they understand how much this means to everyone – especially as there are so many same-sex couples in our lives. Teachers, friends, friends’ parents.
My ten year old was very worried this morning that “protest” means violence and capsicum spray (especially after #OWS). It was important for him to see how wonderful a peaceful rally can be.
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*shriek* That’s me in picture number 8!!! I was so excited to meet Rick and Lucy – both fabulous and gorgeous!
It was such an amazing experience… I have never been to a march or rally before, and I was a little anxious, especially when I saw police on horses and stuff. I needn’t have worried. The atmsphere was full of love, support and joy. Yes, people were angry, but they weren’t aggressive about it. There was such comraderie in the crowd and everyone seemed to support one another, no matter what your sexual orientation. Both my friend Mel and I are straight, and we were as welcome as anyone.
Sadly there was one poor bloke who missed the whole point – as we marched through Pitt St Mall, he was watching and shouted “you’re all sinners!” or something like that. The response? A couple of guys behind me shouted gleefully ‘Yes! We also love penis!’ I was frightened people would charge this guy, but they just responded with laughter and love to his hatred.
It was truly an amazing day, and I’m so glad I was there!!
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It was very nice meeting you both! How lovely to run into the people who read the site. You’re real!
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