Surf Coast takes a walk for equality

SURF Coast supporters of marriage equality were among thousands who marched in cities and towns across Australia at the weekend.

The Surf Coast Walk for Equality attracted about 60 people for a colourful parade around central Torquay on Saturday.

Participants included Surf Coast Shire councillors Libby Coker, Rose Hodge and Margot Smith.

It was one of several rallies held as part of the final push to encourage people to vote “yes” on the marriage law postal survey, which must be mailed back to the Australian Bureau of Statistics by tomorrow (Friday) for votes to count.

Surf Coast for Equality’s Merrin Wake, who helped organised the Torquay event, said the walk was “freakin’ awesome” and the community “helped save lives today”.

“So many different parts of our community coming together to show all our community what unity, equality and love looks like. I am beyond grateful for all the support today.

“A woman came up to me today and said she has lived in this community all her life, it took her three decades to ‘come out’ and she never imagined she would see, let alone be a part of a walk through her hometown like this.

“Never underestimate the power of a simple gesture, of the power of community at its best and your individual ability to make profound differences in what the future holds for us all.

“Thank you Surf Coast for being everything I hoped we could be.”