Ashley Macmillan places her yes vote in the mail as Anna and Jordan Bruno, Michele David and Tiernan Brady watch on.
Camera IconAshley Macmillan places her yes vote in the mail as Anna and Jordan Bruno, Michele David and Tiernan Brady watch on. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Perth marriage equality rally: LGBTQI allies urged to offer support

Julian WrightEastern Reporter

WA LGBTQI allies were urged yesterday’s marriage equality rally at Wellington Square to reach out to the community and offer support.

The call came just days after same sex marriage surveys began arriving in letterboxes across the country.

Greens MLC Alison Xamon reminded people how harmful the debate could be for the LGBTQI community.

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“We need to recognise that this can be a very hurtful campaign for the members of the LGBTQI community and I think it’s important that we are looking out for them, ensuring they are ok,” she said.

“If you know somebody who is LGBTI, reach out and make sure they are coping, because this campaign is very divisive, and it’s hurting a lot of people.

“We are seeing that in terms of the increase of numbers who are ringing in to help lines, needing to get support.”

Ms Xamon’s comments came just hours after ‘Vote No’ was written in the sky in Sydney.

Ashley Macmillan (21), who is Christian and dropped her yes vote into a red post box at the rally, said she received support at her church.

“These old ladies come up (to me) saying ‘don’t worry I’m going to be voting yes I am right behind you’ so it’s definitely the feeling from my congregation,” she said.

Former My Kitchen Rules contestant Anna Bruno, who appeared with her gay son Jordan, said she received mixed messages at her church.

“I went to mass before the rally and the priest said to love everyone equally but also said to vote no to marriage equality and it’s just so wrong,” she said.

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