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GAYS TAKE A STAND ON TYING THE KNOT Blue Mountains Gazette (New South Wales, Australia), News (Front Page) by Damien Madigan, 17/08/2006

Upper Mountains residents Brian Coates and Wayne Levi shortly before exchanging their “unlawful” marriage vows at Springwood’s town square on Saturday. For Wayne Levi, the decision to publicly declare his commitment to his male partner of 14 years in Springwood on Saturday was a simple one. "In the eyes of the law I want to be treated like the rest of my six siblings and have the same rights that they have to choose how they'd like to live and what they do with their lives," he told a gathering of friends and protesters in the village's town square. That Wayne doesn't have these same rights was the driving reason behind his public "unlawful" marriage to Brian Coates. The Upper Mountains couple's declaration was the centrepiece of a demonstration organised by Community Action Against Homophobia Blue Mountains. Next to the office of Federal MP Kerry Bartlett – who had been invited to the demonstration but did not attend - a small number of speakers voiced their anger at Federal laws blocking gay marriage.

"Consenting adults have the right to have their relationships recognised in the manner in which they choose to have it recognised, be that through marriage or a civil union or a de facto relationship," said demonstration organiser Bryn Hutchinson. "There's no excuse for inequality. I'd also say to those who poo-poo us, we'll continue to fight for equality as our right as citizens." The Labor Party's Macquarie spokesperson Mark Ptolemy lent his support, saying discrimination shouldn't be accepted in any form. "Love is love. Relationships are relationships. People shouldn't be pushed aside and stigmatised because of their relationships," he said. While the demonstration ended with a celebratory release of streamers, its serious message wasn't lost. Rosemary Morrow had earlier described her close friends Wayne and Brian as "brave" for their public declaration. "It takes a lot of courage to do this because of the homophobia still existing in our society so it's wonderful to have your support," she told the crowd. MEDIA SOURCE Blue Mountains Gazette [checked 18/08/2006] Source [FREE ACCESS]