Comedians Zoe Coombs Marr and Rhys Nicholson wed in Melbourne's first gay marriage

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This was published 7 years ago

Comedians Zoe Coombs Marr and Rhys Nicholson wed in Melbourne's first gay marriage

By Michael Lallo
Updated

Did the bride and groom kiss? You bet. But they did it their way. Check out the video.

Melbourne has just hosted what might be its first gay marriage. Two citizens, out and proud, tying the knot.

Sure, one's a woman and one's a bloke. But that's the point. On Friday night, award-winning stand-ups Zoe Coombs Marr and Rhys Nicholson got married at the Comedy Festival club.

The bride wore white, carried a stubby - and looked beautiful. The groom wore white, carried a stubby - and he looked beautiful, too.

Zoe Coombs Marr and Rhys Nicholson do marriage their way.

Zoe Coombs Marr and Rhys Nicholson do marriage their way.

Judging from the video, the event was many things. A rocking party. A celebration of love. A political act. And a raised middle finger to churlish types who tell marriage equality advocates: "You can get married - just to someone of the opposite gender."

Coombs Marr and Nicholson each has a same-sex partner, but Australian law forbids them from marrying the person they love. "Think of the children!" cry the minority of Australians who support the current law.

Of course, this law doesn't stop men and women rushing down the aisle, no matter how ill-suited. Yet this was no hasty stunt. Coombs and Nicholson are close friends, and got engaged last August in Edinburgh.

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"To actively isolate a human being is nothing short of structural violence," said comedian Hannah Gadsby, who MC-ed her friends' wedding. Joining her on stage were fellow comics Judith Lucy, Denise Scott and Celia Pacquola.

Bridesmaids Denise Scott, Judith Lucy and Celia Pacquola.

Bridesmaids Denise Scott, Judith Lucy and Celia Pacquola.

"Rhys and Zoe are doing this for the children. Because at the moment, what they are doing in this country is saying to all the children is that it's okay to exclude a minority. That it's okay to be a bully.

"Through their union - filled with love and respect, from within and without - what Zoe and Rhys would like to say to all children is that being inclusive is just as important as being included."

Incendiary stuff.

No wonder some "patriots" - complete with Aussie flags as capes - interrupted the ceremony later on, chanting, "Lefty scum! Lefty scum! Lefty scum!"

Fortunately, the bridal party had a few deft martial arts moves up their sleeves. And comedian Asher Treleaven was on hand, in a leather pants and jacket, to belt out Bryan Adams' power ballad Heaven.

Next stop for the happy couple? A honeymoon - at Max Watts, a popular comedy venue.

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