Marriage equality activists are taking their megaphones to Sydney’s northern beaches, targeting the HQ of our unsympathetic opposition leader.

Unlike many marriage equality rallies in Sydney in recent times, the organisers of this Saturday’s action in Manly’s pedestrian shopping strip promise there will be “no long speeches,” just “a fun, highly visual and vocal presence.”

Proud parents of gay sons Shelley Argent and Geoff Thomas will both be there, with he message “all Aussie should be treated the same under the law. Tony Abbott is wrong to deny a marriage equality conscience vote.”

Event co-organiser Nathan Thomas says he’s sick of waiting for marriage equality while so many other countries advance the rights of their LGBTI citizens.

On June 6, a new marriage equality Bill from the Greens will be voted on in Federal Parliament, but it has no chance of passing unless Abbott lets his coalition MPs have a conscience vote on the legislation.

So Abbott’s beachside electorate of Manly will be the setting for Saturday’s action from 11am – right outside Manly Council building.

There’s also a marriage equality rally organised by Community Action Against Homophobia, scheduled for 1pm, Saturday 25 May, at the Town Hall, heading to Taylor Square.

Author: Matt Akersten
Publication: same same
Publication Date: May 16 2013