The first Equal Love rally of 2011 was, without doubt, its most impressive and vocal yet. On Saturday March the 26th, a massive congregation of 3000 loud supporters occupied the front lawn of Victoria's State library to demand same-sex marriage equality. Before storming down Swanston street, the rally heard from a diverse range of passionate speakers. Sally Goldner from Trans Victoria spoke about the effect that marriage inequality had on the entire LGBTI community. Achieving marriage equality would be one step closer towards the fight against homophobia and transphobia. "I want the next generation to have a better future… that is what matters most. Equal rights, equal marriage now!” she told an embolden crowd. Daria Healy-Aarons from the United Voice union encouraged the role that unions can play in the struggle against inequality for the GBLTI community. Jade Eckhaus from the National Union of Students made an impassioned call to challenge the homphobia deeply embedded in our society. “It’s still the case in society today, the LGBTI youth are six times more likely to kill ourselves than our straight counterparts. It’s still the case in society today that we have laws that maintain state sanctioned homophobia.” Like previous Equal Love rallies, there was an impressive show from the GLBTI youth and we saw hundreds of highschool students marching with passion and confidence.

The next rally in Melbourne will be held on 13 August, to mark the 7 year anniversary of the ban on same-sex marriage. Be there!