A Coalition for Marriage event in Melbourne has been interrupted several times by pro-marriage equality supporters.
Lyle Shelton, the Managing Director of the Australian Christian Lobby, has called on the leaders of the YES campaign to denounce what he described as “violence and bigotry”.
The Coalition for Marriage have been holding launch events in each state over the last week, last night the group was launching its campaign in Melbourne.
A woman took to the stage while Shelton was giving his introduction and reportedly shouted profanities at the audience before being removed by security.
Protesters also held up a sign that read “Burn Churches, Not Queers”.
Later when Cella White, the Victoria mother who campaigns against the Safe Schools anti-bullying program was on stage two women took to the stage and began kissing. At the same time the security staff were distracted by other protesters in the crowd.
“We’ve had a pretty positive experience of our state launches this past week, but tonight’s episode has shown that the ‘yes’ campaign cannot control it’s supporters.” Shelton said in a statement.
Shelton said the ‘yes’ campaign had made it hard for supporters of traditional marriage were unable to gather without fear of intimidation and violence.
OIP Staff
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