Despite the grey skies, Canberra turned into a sea of colour and glitter on Saturday, as protesters took to the streets in support of same-sex marriage.
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Thousands of people gathered in Garema Place, many holding rainbow flags or large placards, before marching through Civic.
The large protest came ahead of a $122 million national postal survey on whether laws should be changed to allow LGBT couples to marry.
The rally was organised by marriage equality organisation group Equal Love, the group behind the large protest in Melbourne last weekend, which saw more than 20,000 people take part.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr was among the speakers at the Canberra event, telling the mass of marriage equality supporters the territory had always been strong supporters of same-sex marriage.
"We were the first state or territory to legalise marriage equality in 2013, and while the High Court said no to it, it triggered the start of a massive national campaign for change," he said.
"It firmly ensured the issue was on the national agenda and that the federal parliament couldn't shirk their responsibilities to step up and make the change."
Mr Barr, Australia's first openly-gay leader of a state or territory, said there's still a long road to go if the postal survey goes ahead.
"One of the key tasks is to keep up the enthusiasm and keep fighting for equality," he said.
Fenner MP Andrew Leigh told the crowd that, while the postal survey wasn't the best option to legislate for marriage equality, he urged Canberra residents to get behind the 'yes' vote.
"Heterosexual marriages won't be weakened [if same-sex marriage is legalised], indeed they'll be strengthened," he said.
"When we have marriage equality, Australia will be able to stand tall on the world stage, and it will be a happy day. Many weddings will be taking place and it will be an overdue debt."
Among the other speakers was Veronica Wensing, who was among the 31 same-sex couples who got married in the ACT in 2013 during the five days it was legalised.
"That was probably the most euphoric time of our lives, perhaps the happiest moment," she said.
"To be able to declare love for one another in front of family and friends was indescribably joyous."
While the large group of people were peacefully protesting, a small number of police were on the scene separating the mass from a handful of 'no' supporters campaigning nearby.
Melissa Star was one of the thousands of protesters who took part in Saturday's rally, driving all the way from Melbourne in order to participate.
"I was at the Melbourne rally last week, and there were people all across the city, you couldn't even see the bitumen," she said.
"We drove here from Melbourne last night because we wanted to send a message to the federal government that the time has come. It's time for us to give LGBT people the right to have our families respected and recognised."
Fellow protester, 24-year-old Betty, said she intends to vote 'yes' in the upcoming vote.
"I want to be able to marry my girlfriend and I want to be a part of making it happen.
"It's been really reassuring seeing the level of support in Canberra."
