The chief executive of one of the country’s retailing giants has today called upon federal MPs to support changes to the law that would allow for same-sex marriage, with David Jones CEO Paul Zahra making the comments ahead of this afternoon’s Pride in Diversity Business Luncheon and Awards honouring corporations with inclusive policies.

Marriage equality advocates have applauded former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett for an article he wrote in favour of same-sex marriage.

A peaceful vigil is planned for Hobart this Thursday night outside a national meeting hosted by Tasmanian churches and other groups opposed to same-sex marriage, with former tennis champion turned fundamentalist Christian pastor Margaret Court also expected to address the gathering.

Finance Minister Penny Wong slammed Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey during a live discussion forum on ABC Television last night, telling the audience she knows “what my family is worth” after the senior Liberal MP had claimed “a mother and a father” offered children “the very best circumstances”.

He is regarded as one of the country’s most prominent advocates for the introduction of same-sex marriage but over the weekend Australian Marriage Equality national convener Alex Greenwich put politics aside for some personal happiness instead, marrying his long-term partner Victor Hoeld in a ceremony in Buenos Aires.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has distanced itself from a doctors group who claim children are better off with heterosexual parents while the Greens as well as human rights experts have also blasted the controversial Doctors for the Family group led by a one-time candidate for the Christian Democratic Party.

Thousands of people including high-profile politicians and entertainers turned out over the weekend at rallies across the country for a National Day of Action for Marriage Equality, intensifying the pressure on Australia's leaders to support the introduction of same-sex marriage.

The NSW Greens claim Christian Democratic Party leader Fred Nile has stymied debate on a marriage equality motion which was expected to be discussed in Parliament yesterday with a contingency motion about Mothers Day instead, which members of the Greens nevertheless successfully amended so that it would acknowledge mothers in same-sex relationships.

EXCLUSIVE: In the first sign that Queensland’s recently enacted civil union laws are under threat from the new LNP Government, notaries wishing to perform same-sex civil unions have been left in the dark as to what is happening with their applications to the Queensland department of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Pressure has heaped on Prime Minister Julia Gillard following US President Barack Obama’s decision to air his personal support for same-sex marriage during a television news interview overnight.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has denied claims that he is backing away from his promise to extend the marriage laws to allow same-sex couples the right to marry.

US Vice President Joe Biden has been praised and then criticised by marriage equality advocates after he declared over the weekend on national television that he was “absolutely comfortable” with same-sex marriage before his office attempted to downplay the comments.

ADELAIDE: Equal Love is marking the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) with rallies around the country to again call for the legalisation of same-sex marriage.

The Greens are calling on Tony Abbott to follow the lead of Beyond Blue chair Jeff Kennett who has shifted his position to now support same-sex marriage.

This May sees a coming together of sorts. Not only is it South Australian History Month, it marks the 40th anniversary of the death of Dr George Duncan, and also the tenth annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).