Rally and March for Same-Sex Marriage Rights – 26 March 2011

Posted on March 28, 2011 by melbourneprotests

The lawns in front of the State Library were fully occupied for the latest in the series of rallies organised by Equal Love in support of their campaign against the discriminatory provisions of the Marriage Act. Introductory music was provided by Sophie O’Connor and John Doxey, with Dolly Diamond and Luke Gallagher hosting. Speakers ranged from Karen Field, CEO of the Drummond Street Relationship Centre and Sally Goldner of TransGender Victoria, Jade Eckhaus, Queer Officer of the NUS and James Campbell of minus18, to comedian Joel Creasey and union activist Daria Healy-Aarons, with Ali Hogg, Convenor of Equal Love, delivering the final call to action. There was the now-traditional competition for the best home-made placard, won this time by one reading “23 years living in sin” … Showers threatened but held off, and there was a spirited march to the Old Treasury Building, where the PA system failed to deliver but the message was loud and clear – the fight goes on…

No photos this time, but video extracts from the rally and march. (There are pics galore here.)

Rally for Equal Marriage Rights – 20 November 2010

Posted on November 23, 2010 by melbourneprotests

There was a huge turnout in Melbourne for the final rally before Victoria’s state election, and a list of speakers to match – see report on Equal Love website . Saturday was also International Trans Remembrance Day, and Transgender Victoria spokesperson Sally Goldner called for a minute’s silence to mark victims of bigotry. After the speeches at the State Library – and the now-traditional competition for the best placard – there was a loud and colourful march through the CBD to the old Treasury Building, where Equal Love convenor Ali Hogg gave a final address, looking ahead to more actions in 2011.

Photos from the rally and march – these and more are included in a slideshow on YouTube, along with some brief video clips from the latter part of the march (there is more video on the Equal Love website referred to above). Most need no caption…

Sally Goldner

Hanna Williams and her partner lead the march and chanting

Newly-wed couple overtaken by the march up Collins Street

This couple had been posing for wedding photos outside a church in Collins Street

Slideshow:

Video of final stages of march:

May 15 International day against homophobia – rally for same sex marriage!

Posted on May 16, 2010 by melbourneprotests

As explained in a previous post, several events clashed on the day, and we arrived at the State Library only in time to catch the last minutes of the rally. There were, however, reports – not very extensive – on some mainstream media (e.g. the ABC) and we were able to get some shots both at the Library and from the early stages of the march: