Fridae

With photos by Hamid Mousa courtesy of SBS, we take you through the highlights of Sydney's epic Mardis Gras

While same-sex marriage supporters stage rallies across Australia on Saturday, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's Labor Party voted on the same day to retain the country's ban on same-sex marriage.

Australians in the capital cities of Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart and Canberra will take to the streets on Aug 1 to demand equal marriage rights for all regardless of sex and sexual orientation.

The inaugural Asia Pacific Outgames will coincide with Melbourne's annual Midsumma Festival in January and February next year.