3000 gather in Melbourne to demand equal marriage

3000 people gathered in the Melbourne CBD yesterday to demand equal marriage rights for the LGBTIQ community.

The demonstration came on the eighth anniversary of the Howard government legislating marriage as between a man and a woman only.

Many speakers addressed a colourful crowd at the State Library, including the federal member for Melbourne Adam Bandt.

Mr Bandt told listeners it was time for parliamentarians to catch up with the views of their electorates.

"The mood in the population has changed," the Greens deputy leader said to the crowd.

"People are very relaxed about two people who love each other getting married, regardless of their gender or their sexuality."

Addressing the faithful: Adam Bandt gives his oration

Flying the flag: Just as many first-timers came as "repeat offenders" did

It's true: Some signs were jocular ("Bisexuality doubles your chances of a date on a Saturday night"), but others had a more serious tone

Mr Bandt, among others, cited a statistic that showed 64% of those surveyed were in favour of gay marriage - an increase from the 34% of respondents at the time of the effective ban eight years ago.

Another speaker, Doug Pollard - a broadcaster for Joy FM - said marriage is a "profound right" but must be fought for long and hard.

"The fight for gay rights is one of those, unfortunately, that will never be over because we are a minority", Mr Pollard said.

"Marriage however is not just about finding a partner, it's a lot more."

"It's about binding ourselves into the whole of society in one fabric."

The people's voice: Gay rights champion Doug Pollard delivers his speech

Equal Love Convenor Ali Hogg said while change in attitudes towards gay marriage since 2004 were a positive, people still needed to be committed to the cause.

"We want this discrimination [towards the LGBTIQ community] to be gotten rid of out of Australian law, once and for all," she told cheering supporters.

"And once we get this, it's going to be because of people like you and me, coming out time and time again, taking a stand against these discriminatory laws."

The speeches were followed by a march - which a police officer later told me had no problems - from the State Library to the Old Treasury Building, where a mock mass wedding was to be celebrated by "dissident" priest, Father Greg Reynolds.

On being given a rock star reception, Fr Reynolds said while it was a "joyful event", it was a "solemn act" that he was to perform.

To conclude the event, Anthony Wallace - also from Equal Love - said another protest would be held on November 24, to which he wanted 10,000 people to turn up.

"Dissident": Father Greg Reynolds

Road to equality: Protestors on the march

Fair point: As compelling as any an argument to legalise gay marriage 

Radical: The haughty and inscrutable Sir Redmond Barry was left behind at the State Library and missed out on the fun part of the afternoon