A National Day of Action for marriage equality is being held this Saturday 12 May 2012. The day and rallies associated with it is being organised by community groups such as Equal Love and Community Action Against Homophobia. Rallies will take place in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart on the same day.
Sam Cavallaro, Curtin Student Guild Queer Officer and member of Equal Love WA stresses the importance of attending this Saturday, ‘The reason why the campaign for equal marriage rights has come to such popular attention is because people have come out to the rallies time and time again… I think the fight is definitely not over for marriage equality and for LGBTI rights. People need to come out again and take a stance on equal marriage rights and against homophobia.’
Cavallaro is happy with attendance at previous rallies, but hopes that people do not become complacent about equality. ‘I think there is a bit of a problem now, that people think that the battle has already been won, and that is something we need to fight against.’
In March 2011, around 500 people rallied in Perth city centre to support and reaffirm the need for same-sex marriage. Cavallaro expects an equal or larger attendance this year, ‘I hope as may people come as possible. People from the queer community, people who aren’t from the queer community but who are for equal rights, anyone who is against discrimination should really be coming to this event… I think that attendance on Saturday will be in the hundreds, and nationwide it should be in the thousands.’
In terms of what message the rallies are intended to convey and who they are aimed at, Cavallaro says, ‘What we are aiming to do is show the politicians, people like Julia Gillard and the Labor Party that it’s actually more of a liability to not have equal marriage rights… they shouldn’t continue on with the line that marriage should be between a man and a woman… they should actually have the guts to make the change so that there can be equality.’
Rally: Saturday 12 May, 2012
Location: Stirling Gardens, CBD, 1pm
For more information click here.
Claire Alexander
