A boisterous crowd drew together on the corner of Bourke and Swanston Streets on Saturday, calling for changes to allow same-sex marriage and an end to homophobia.

The protest group, led by James Vigus, National Queer Officer for the National Union of Students, sent loud chants to passers-by.

The rally was supported by most student union queer departments, including Monash and La Trobe University.

Vigus said the rally was designed to get the message out to the wider community that, although recent changes have been made to legislation, the changes are not necessarily addressing homophobia.

"We've chosen one of the busiest corners in Melbourne today to be out and loud and it is important to see people out there making a visible fight for gay and lesbian rights," he said.
 "I think the overwhelming message from the gay community has been that the changes have not been good enough with adoption rights and same-sex marriage, and instead of unpicking the 100 laws and hair-splitting, we need to change the Marriage Act."

Addressing the crowd, Vigus called for a renewed campaign against intolerance. 

"We're calling for the battle against homophobia to continue and we will not be quiet, we will not be silenced until we get full equality."

Mr Vigus said the turnout on the day was beyond expectations.

"It was a day of action and got the message across to a range of people," he said.

Tables were set up to encourage the public to sign a petition for same-sex marriage. So far approximately 5,000 signatures have been collected, with hopes to double the number by the end of the month-long campaign.

Vigus also expressed concern at the student union funding squeeze that has affected queer departments at universities.

An Annual National Queer Conference will be held on July 1, with students gathering at Melbourne University to discuss homophobia and equal rights.

By ANDIE NOONAN