A gay couple 'married' outside Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne on Saturday, in protest at the controversial tennis icon's much-publicised comments against marriage equality.
Activists chalked a rainbow crossing outside the venue in a celebration marking the end of Pride Month.
It came a day after Grinspoon played the stadium, selling merchandise renaming the court "Marriage Equality Court".
The bid to make Margaret Court Arena fabulous was orchestrated by the founder of DIY Rainbow, Mardi Gras board director James "Breko" Brechney.
Mr Brechney presided over the marriage between Ron Van Houwelingen and his partner of three decades, Antony McManus.
"Obviously, we find Margaret Court's statements abhorrent," Mr Van Houwelingen said.
"We believe that giving [Margaret Court] a platform for her hate speech is not acceptable given her status, so we're sending her a message of love.
"Antony and I have been together 30 years this September and we believe that we should have the right to have our love sanctioned before the state."
Tennis legend John McEnroe had called for a mass same-sex wedding ceremony at the arena once marriage equality was legal in Australia, but Mr Brechney said he decided not to wait.
"It's the end of Pride Month now so it's really important to get out and make people like Margaret Court understand that we're proud to be who we are and all we're asking for is equality," Mr Brechney said.
"She's boycotted Qantas and she's speaking at fundraisers and she's lobbying John Howard and doing all sorts of things. She's not going anywhere, and we just want to make it really clear we're not going anywhere either.
"We made Margaret Court Arena fabulous for a Saturday afternoon."
Source: brisbanetimes.com.au
Activists chalked a rainbow crossing outside the venue in a celebration marking the end of Pride Month.
It came a day after Grinspoon played the stadium, selling merchandise renaming the court "Marriage Equality Court".
Ron Van Houwelingen and Antony McManus are 'married' outside Margaret Court Arena on Saturday.
Mr Brechney presided over the marriage between Ron Van Houwelingen and his partner of three decades, Antony McManus.
"Obviously, we find Margaret Court's statements abhorrent," Mr Van Houwelingen said.
"We believe that giving [Margaret Court] a platform for her hate speech is not acceptable given her status, so we're sending her a message of love.
"Antony and I have been together 30 years this September and we believe that we should have the right to have our love sanctioned before the state."
Tennis legend John McEnroe had called for a mass same-sex wedding ceremony at the arena once marriage equality was legal in Australia, but Mr Brechney said he decided not to wait.
"It's the end of Pride Month now so it's really important to get out and make people like Margaret Court understand that we're proud to be who we are and all we're asking for is equality," Mr Brechney said.
"She's boycotted Qantas and she's speaking at fundraisers and she's lobbying John Howard and doing all sorts of things. She's not going anywhere, and we just want to make it really clear we're not going anywhere either.
"We made Margaret Court Arena fabulous for a Saturday afternoon."
Source: brisbanetimes.com.au
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