Protestors march for marriage equality

Hundreds of protesters marched through the city on May 22 to demand marriage equality and an end to homophobia.

The rally, now in its third year, was organised by Community Action Against Homophobia (CAAH) and hosted by The Hungry Beast’s Monique Schafter outside of Town Hall.

Before marching, the group was addressed by a number of same-sex marriage advocates.

Schafter told the gathering: “Today is not necessarily about if you want to get married, it’s about the right to get married.”

This was a message that resonated with many at the rally who see marriage as one of the last barriers to equality.

“I believe in equal marriage,” said 24-year-old, Evan Van Zijl.

“I think that marriage itself is problematic but I think that everyone should have access to it.”

University of Sydney student, Steph Clark, agrees.

“It’s about finding a level of equality between the gay community and the straight community,” she said.

In a stirring speech to the 700 strong crowd, sex and gender rights activist Norrie May-Wellby said: “Nothing is as important as love and our love is as important as everyone else’s and should be treated that way.”

May-Wellby called on the Federal Government to give us “equality and nothing less”.

The protesters waved banners and chanted as they left Town Hall and moved up Bathurst and Oxford Streets to Taylor Square.

Many were relieved the rally went ahead despite combined attempts by the nearby Anglican church and police to place restrictions on the event.

The organisers were told last week the protest could not go ahead as part of the public square next to the Town Hall is owned by the Anglican Church.

The Church eventually backed down from that position but maintained the right to protest there was a privilege and the rally needed to stay as far off church property as possible.

Rally organiser, Rachel Evans, said: “The police were frustrating but they eventually backed off.”

Several police were filming the protesters.

Rebecca Hynek, Queer Officer in the National Union of Students, criticised the heavy police presence, urging protesters to “stand tall and proud in front of the cameras”.

“These colours don’t run,” she said. “They fight”.

By Jason Marshall