Two Canberra marriage celebrants are leading a new project designed to make it easier for same-sex couples to find civil celebrants who will offer ceremonies conducted with dignity and respect.
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Judy Aulich and Charles Foley joined together in April to develop a new equality logo for celebrants to display on their websites and promotional literature as a sign of support for marriage equality.
The symbol - two wedding rings in rainbow colours - were chosen as recognised symbols associated with the gay and lesbian community as well as the growing marriage equality movement.
The project comes as Canberra Airport's terminal was lit in rainbow colours as part of a new campaign for marriage equality on Sunday night.
Ms Aulich said the new online symbol had been designed as a positive move to show celebrants' willingness to conduct ceremonies before and after Australia's marriage laws are changed to allow same-sex couples of marry.
"With any luck, if it is used widely, same-sex couples won't go to someone who doesn't have the symbol on their website," Ms Aulich said. "We hope there is no need for an official exemption to be given under the law."
The project's crowd funding goal of $2000 for design costs was passed on Saturday.
"For celebrants, I think you could imagine a bell curve," Ms Aulich said. "I think there are some strongly opposed to marriage equality and some strongly for. I think the bell curve is slightly more to more conservative people ... for religious or personal views.
"I think it is safe to say that plenty of celebrants in Australia will embrace marriage equality."
Ms Aulich said not all celebrants were supportive of marriage equality and some would refuse to conduct same-sex marriages when the law changed.
Canberra Airport managing director Stephen Byron said he hoped the lights and new signage would signify the airport's support for change in Australia. He compared the move's symbolism to the decision to light the White House in rainbow colours after June's historic decision by the US Supreme Court in favour of same-sex marriage.
Mr Byron said the issue had personal significance for the airport's owners, the Snow family. Mr Byron's brother Tom Snow married his husband in New Zealand in 2014.
Mr Snow called on federal MPs flying into Canberra ahead of parliament sitting this week to bring about a change in the law.
"This issue should be above politics," he said. "Have a conscience vote. Listen to your gay and lesbian constituents and the majority of Australians who support equality.
"Have the courage to do what is right."
