Brisbane, Hobart host gay marriage rallies

Brisbane and Hobart have kicked off a weekend of rallies around the country in support of same-sex marriage.

Activists during a Same-Sex Marriage rally in Brisbane

Proponents of same-sex marriage are calling on PM Tony Abbott to legalise marriage equality. (AAP)

Proponents of same-sex marriage are calling on Prime Minister Tony Abbott to legalise marriage equality.

They did so quite literally at an event in Brisbane, where they called the "Equality Calling" hotline and left him a message.

"I am somebody and I demand full equality," Equal Love representative Jess Payne said, leading a chant into her speaker phone.

Those attending the colourful Queensland rally easily packed out Queens Gardens in their rainbow capes before marching through the central business district.

A Dykes on Bikes procession of Harley-Davidson motorcycles opened the event, which heard from speakers including Aboriginal poet Steven Oliver.

"We have a choice to do what we think is best, or to do what we know is right," Oliver said.

In Hobart, 1500 people gathered in City Hall to show their support for same-sex marriage.

There was a standing ovation for organiser and 2015 Tasmanian of the Year Rodney Croome, who said the turnout exceeded his expectations.

A cross-party bill to legalise gay marriage is slated for introduction when the federal parliament resumes next week.

The private member's bill is co-sponsored by Liberal MPs Warren Entsch and Teresa Gambaro, among others, and seconded by Labor backbencher Terri Butler.

It will go to the Liberal party room after it is moved in the parliament to decide if there will be a free vote.

Comment has also been sought from the Marriage Alliance.

The independent organisation aims to give a voice to the "silent majority of Australians" who do not support changes to the Marriage Act despite respecting same-sex relationships, its website says.

Rallies in favour of same-sex marriage are scheduled for Perth and Sydney on Sunday.


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Source: AAP


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