Same-sex marriage: More than 15,000 people rally in Melbourne to support marriage equality

THOUSANDS of Melburnians decked in rainbow colours have hit the city streets to support marriage equality.

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MORE than 15,000 Melburnians decked in rainbow colours have hit the city streets to support marriage equality.

The rally to support the “yes” vote comes ahead of the controversial Federal Government plebiscite on legalising gay marriage.

Comedians, politicians and celebrities were expected to take part in the march including Joel Creasey and Australian Idol winner Natalie Gauci.

Crowds of people gathered at the State Library of Victoria for a Rally For Marriage Equality. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Minister for Equality Martin Foley spoke at the rally in support of marriage equality, saying: “This is an amazing turnout.”

“Victorians support in great numbers a decent outcome for people. This is about making sure one group of Australians are treated the same as everyone else.

“It's a pretty simple proposition. That’s why we are backing the yes campaign, that’s why Victorians are backing the yes campaign.

Thousands of people rallied for marriage equality. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Equal Love campaigner Ali Hogg said: “LGBTI people have been waiting more than 13 years for their basic civil rights and this postal plebiscite, ridiculous though it is, gives us a chance to finally show the Liberal government just how angry the public is that they continue to stand in the way of basic equality.”

The Australian Electoral Commission revealed this week almost one million changes were made to the electoral roll ahead of next month’s postal survey.

An extra 90,000 people added their names to vote this month.

Supporters carried placards saying ‘Love is Love’ in Melbourne CBD. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

And more than 16 million Australians are now enrolled to vote — the biggest number in the nation’s history.

The AEC processed 765,000 changes to people’s details since the postal survey was announced and at least another 165,000 transactions will be processed over the weekend.

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