The ‘put out your fairy lights’ campaign aims to light up streets across Australia

IF you see houses in your neighbourhood decorated with twinkling lights in coming days, it’s not a case of people getting an early start on Christmas.

People are decorating their homes as part of the #putoutyourfairylights campaign, started by Sydney man Steve Spencer.

HOUSES decorated in twinkling lights in September?

No, it’s not a case of people seriously jumping the gun on Christmas celebrations, but a grassroots part of the ‘yes’ campaign for same-sex marriage in Australia.

Sydney man Steve Spencer decided to string fairy lights on the front of his home to spell out “yes” ahead of the Federal Government’s postal survey on the issue.

Households will begin receiving forms this week asking if they support a change in the law to allow gay couples to wed.

Official organisers of campaigns for both sides of the debate are in full swing but now people like Mr Spencer are getting involved in their own unique ways.

And others are starting to follow his lead, as part of what’s become the #putoutyourfairylights campaign.

“I’m encouraging people to put out their fairy lights so that our night times are full of support and love for the LGBTIQ community, who face increased homophobia during this postal survey,” Mr Spencer said.

People are decorating their homes as part of the #putoutyourfairylights campaign

People are decorating their homes as part of the #putoutyourfairylights campaign

People are decorating their homes as part of the #putoutyourfairylights campaign

“Whether you spell out the word ‘yes’ or simply put your fairly lights out front of your house, you can show that you stand in solidarity with your LGBTQI family members, friends and the wider community.”

After Mr Spencer’s initial post, pictures of others stringing lights on their houses began to appear on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The initiative came as thousands of marriage equality supporters attended rallies in Sydney and Brisbane today.

Labor leader Bill Shorten spoke outside Sydney’s Town Hall to assembled marchers

“We’ve got one last mountain to climb to make marriage equality a reality; let’s climb it together,” he told them.

People are decorating their homes as part of the #putoutyourfairylights campaign

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was a surprise guest at the New South Wales Liberals and Nationals for Yes campaign launch on Sunday.

“I’ve said this many times before — the threat to marriage is not gay couples. It is a lack of loving commitment,” he said.

“If the threat to marriage today is lack of commitment, then surely other couples making and maintaining a commitment sets a good rather than a bad example.”

People are decorating their homes as part of the #putoutyourfairylights campaign

Originally published as The ‘put out your fairy lights’ campaign aims to light up streets across Australia