RIGHTS RALLIES PUT LOVE FIRST (Page 5)
Sydney Star Observer (New South Wales, Australia), News (Issue 829, Pages 1 & 5)
by Ian Gould, 17/08/2006
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RIGHTS RIGHT NOW (Page 1) RIGHTS RALLIES PUT LOVE FIRST (Page 5) Sydney Star Observer (New South Wales, Australia), News (Issue 829, Pages 1 & 5) by Ian Gould, 17/08/2006 |
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Protesters celebrated same-sex love on a national day of action marking two years since the gay marriage ban
It featured political rhetoric and calls for law reform, but for many participants last weekend’s equal rights rally in Sydney was mainly a celebration of love. Same-sex partners Hannah Gissane and Jessie Nutt were one of about 20 couples who took part in a symbolic “loving vows” ceremony in Hyde Park, ending a spirited demonstration that began in Taylor Square. “I think it’s a good way to show people [our relationships],” Gissane told Sydney Star Observer after the ceremony. “It’s not enough to say you support law reform,” Nutt said. Earlier, same-sex couples, families and activists listened to speakers including lesbian NSW MP Penny Sharpe and Greens senator Kerry Nettle put the case for legal equality. “Continue knocking on the door and ensure that our parliaments do what they should so,” Sharpe told the crowd at Taylor Square. “We will get there.”
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The protesters then marched along Oxford Street to Hyde Park for the relationship recognition ceremony. Organisers of the Sydney event, one of several across the country marking two years since the federal gay marriage ban, put the turnout at 1,500. A protest in Melbourne attracted about the same number of people, including 55 gay and lesbian couples who pledged their love in a commitment ceremony on the steps of State Parliament, The Age reported. “Same-sex couples, their families and their friends displayed their strength and solidarity in sending a clear message … that equal love deserves equal rights,” Melbourne event organiser John Kloprogge said. Gay Independent Victorian MP Andrew Olexander used the rally to announce plans for a private member’s bill giving gay couples legal equality. Victorian Labor premier Steve Bracks has said civil unions are not a priority before the state election due later this year. Smaller equal rights protests took place in Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart over the weekend. Tasmanian demonstrators signed a “sad anniversary” card marking the gay marriage ban in August 2004. In Western Australia, activists called for a state relationships recognition scheme, a week after the WA National Party announced its support for gay civil unions. Protesters also held events in Lismore, on the NSW north coast, and in the Blue Mountains.
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About 1,500 protesters took to Oxford Street on Sunday to demand