More than 200 people rallied through the streets of Canberra today as part of nationwide protests for marriage equality and to mark International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia. Messages of support were read on behalf of pop sensation Danii Minogue, and actor Sir Ian McKellan – who personally delivered his speech at the Melbourne rally today. Also in attendence was the Canberra Gay & Lesbian Qwire, who performed for the crowd.

Nigel Bruce led the Qwire in singing "We are the ones" – reminding the crowd that, "If change is going to happen, we are the ones to achieve it – it's up to us".

Greens Senate candidate, Lin Hatfield Dodds, reminded the crowd that 2010 is a federal election year, and stressed the importance of voting in support of marriage equality.

"We'll keep campaigning, rallying, fighting until marriage equality is achieved," Ms Hatfield Dodds said.

Greg Miller from the Community & Public Sector Union (CPSU), the largest union in the ACT, said unions were behind the campaign for marriage equality. Two students from ACT secondary schools, speaking on behalf of Equal Love Canberra, talked about their personal experiences of discrimination. They said the young generation was "bewildered" by the Federal Government's inaction on the issue of marriage equality. They also highlighted the situation in countries such as Uganda, Malawi and Kenya, where LGBTI people were being targeted by harsh laws that violate international human rights conventions.

The crowd also took part in the Great Global Kiss-In, along with other cities around the world, to make a statement about solidarity and equality. Spokesperson for Equal Love Canberra, Adam Rapsey, said it was time for discrimination to end.

"The majority of Australians support marriage equality, yet the Federal Government continues to uphold archaic and discriminatory laws," he said.

MEDIA CONTACT: : Adam Rapsey  Ph 0418 206 911
Events interstate: http://equallove.info/
About the Great Global Kiss-in: http://gays.com/idaho
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Photo by Equal Love Canberra