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Reuters

More than 20,000 people rallied in Sydney on Sunday urging the legalisation of same-sex marriage, days ahead of a contentious postal survey on the issue that has divided the country.
Organisers said the gathering was Australia’s largest gay rights demonstration, as a diverse range of people clad in rainbow colours converged on the heart of the city.
“We’re blown away by the response,” Cat Rose from Community Action Against Homophobia said.
“The force we’ve shown today puts us in a good stead to win this battle over the next couple of months.”

Australian vote on gay marriage will proceed after court dismisses challenge
Though the postal ballot is non-binding, a “yes” vote is expected to lead to the legalisation of same-sex marriage, which could further fracture the government of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Ballots will be mailed out from September 12, with a result expected some time in November.
The country’s Opposition Leader, Bill Shorten, said it was the law that had to change, not the gay community.
“We’ve got one last mountain to climb before we make marriage equality a reality. Let’s climb it together, today,” he said.
Turnbull, who has said he will be voting in support of same-sex marriage, told a gathering of the Liberal and National parties’ faithful on Sunday that the issue was one where everyone is entitled to an opinion.
“Many people will vote ‘yes’, as I will, because they believe the right to marry is a conservative ideal as much as any other principle,” he said.

Australian same-sex marriage advocates mount legal challenge to impending vote
His words were in contrast to those of one of his party’s previous leaders, former prime minister John Howard, who officially launched the ‘no’ campaign on Saturday.
Howard said on the website of the Coalition for Marriage that there could not be changes to social institutions without wider consequences.
“I believe there is a conflict here between those seeking the right for same-sex marriage and the rights of the child, and I believe the right of the child to have a mother and father should be preserved,” he said.
The coalition, the lead campaigner against same-sex marriage, did not respond to requests for comment. It includes the Australian Christian Lobby and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
However, ‘yes’ campaigner Kerryn Phelps, the former chief of the Australian Medical Association, said the survey was about unifying the nation.

“What we want is to see Australians united in marriage equality and united in fairness for all Australians,” she said.
Rally attendees Stephen Madden, 55, and David Long, 47, have been together for 21 years and want to get married.
“We’ve had the world’s longest engagement,” Long said.
“My mum would really like to have a legal son-in-law,” Madden added.
The Sydney event followed a similar rally in Melbourne last month, which organisers said was attended by 15,000 people. Police declined to comment on the numbers at both rallies.
Australia is one of the only developed English-speaking countries not to have legalised same-sex marriage, despite strong popular support and the backing of a majority of lawmakers.


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Australia

Sydney gay marriage rally draws record crowd as Australia’s contentious postal vote nears

Supporters of same-sex marriage gathered in the thousands in Sydney ahead of Australia’s postal vote to legalise gay marriage. Photo: AFP

Supporters hold placards as they attend a same-sex marriage rally in Sydney on September 10, 2017. Thousands of same-sex marriage supporters on September 10 marched through the streets of Sydney as Australia's ruling and opposition parties vowed to work together to introduce laws against hate speech ahead of a contentious postal vote on gay marriage. / AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN

Australia's opposition leader Bill Shorten (R) addresses a same-sex marriage rally in Sydney on September 10, 2017. Thousands of same-sex marriage supporters on September 10 marched through the streets of Sydney as Australia's ruling and opposition parties vowed to work together to introduce laws against hate speech ahead of a contentious postal vote on gay marriage. / AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN

A child holds a banner at an anti-same-sex marriage rally in Sydney on September 9, 2017. As the Australian vote on legalising same-sex marriage kicks off September 12, 2017 Australia's ruling and opposition parties vowed to work together to introduce laws against hate speech ahead of a contentious postal vote on gay marriage. / AFP PHOTO / PETER PARKS

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Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says he will vote ‘yes’, while former leader John Howard officially launches ‘no’ campaign


Australian politics

Sydney gay marriage rally draws record crowd as Australia’s contentious postal vote nears

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says he will vote ‘yes’, while former leader John Howard officially launches ‘no’ campaign

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says he will vote ‘yes’, while former leader John Howard officially launches ‘no’ campaign