Sydney teenagers Megan Robinson, Demi Foundas and Emma Langan were happy to attend their first rally in support of gay marriage on Sunday but wished it wasn't necessary.
"It shouldn't be a debate," 15-year-old Demi said.
"We just think people should be able to live how they want to live," her friend Megan, also 15, said.
Thousands of people crowded into the square beside Sydney's Town Hall to hear speakers call on the federal parliament to pass an upcoming bill to legalise gay marriage in Australia.
With Prime Minister Tony Abbott opposed to such a move, rapid progress is unlikely and many at the rally expressed a mix of hope and pessimism.
Esther and Mark Holloway, both 32, brought their 11-month-old daughter Maya to the rally.
They said while Maya's future was unknown they didn't like seeing choices denied to some people.
"We want to raise our child in a future where she has options," Ms Holloway said.
Mr Holloway said he did not agree with those who said same-sex marriage would affect the development of children.
"For same-sex parents to have children it takes so much more effort so I think they are pretty committed," he said.
Media worker Travis Bryant, 39, said he was pessimistic about the chances of the marriage bill passing parliament in the near future.
"There's a lot of talk but no action from Labor - the same joke is going to continue for some time," he said.
"I don't really care about getting married because my mum has been married three times."
Mr Bryant said he was bullied at school and giving equal rights to gay and lesbian people was an important step towards making young people feel safe and equal, and teaching others to show respect.
High school teacher Shane Pascoe, 44, said he was disappointed the Abbott government was not allowing a free vote on gay marriage.
Mr Pascoe said he wanted to be able to get married if he chose to, but it was also important to make gay and lesbian students feel safe.
Part of George St, in Sydney's CBD, was closed to allow the crowd of at least 4000 people to march through the city centre.
The rally was organised by the group Community Action Against Homophobia and was one of several protest marches held around the country over the weekend.
