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Both sides on the fight for same-sex marriage in Australia are gathering at Canberra's Hyatt Hotel this weekend, as opponents of the controversial Australian Christian Lobby organised a rival event on Friday night. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will address the political group's annual conference on Saturday, after a week of criticism for the hotel's role in hosting Friday's dinner and presentations by incoming Sydney Catholic Archbishop Anthony Fisher, assistant immigration minister Michaelia Cash and other opponents of same-sex marriage. Events organised by gay and lesbian community groups including the Australian People's Lobby Party and Canberra's GayCrash attracted advocates and supporters of gay and lesbian equality. GayCrash is a regular event organised on social media, where drinks are held at traditionally straight venues. The People's Lobby Party mimicked branding from the Australian Christian Lobby. Australian Marriage Equality acting director Ivan Hinton-Teoh was among more than 50 community members and supporters who gathered at the hotel for drinks on Friday night. "I think what tonight represents more than anything else is while the Hyatt is hosting the national conference of the Australian Christian Lobby, they're also hosting a lovely evening for the LGBTI community and to me, that reflects the future I aspire for where everyone is afforded respect and dignity," Mr Hinton-Teoh said. Marriage equality advocate Troy Simpson said the aim of the gathering was for community members to support one another, to invite the Hyatt to express its support for the group, and to show the public and the ACL they were "real people". Susan Hampton was among several women who had "a quiet discussion" with several ACL members outside the group's private function at the hotel on Friday night. "Our aim was just to be present, we didn't want conflict or confrontation," Ms Hampton said. She said the members were "very happpy to engage" but did not, in her opinion, provide a logical argument against gay marriage. "If they are preaching Christianity, which is basically love, why are they not in support of marriage equality?" Hundreds of posts on the Hyatt's social media accounts have criticised the conference, citing the ACL's highly organised and well-funded political campaign against same-sex equality and previous controversial and inflamatory claims about homosexuals. Facebook users started the "Hey Hyatt, don't support hate" campaign this week, arguing the ACL's controversial views are in opposition to diversity and the hotel's own corporate charter. ACL members are regularly outspoken in campaigns on issues including abortion, religious education, threats to religious freedom and community standards. It is most active in a political campaign against reforms to marriage laws. A spokeswoman for Mr Shorten said he would use the speech to explain his support for same-sex marriage, as opinion polls show growing numbers of Australians support reform. Former prime minister Julia Gillard pulled out of the lobby group's conference in 2012 after deputy chairman Jim Wallace suggested the risk from a "homosexual lifestyle" was more hazardous to health than smoking. Mr Wallace will also address this weekend's conference, along with Queensland Labor backbencher Shane Neumann. Mr Hinton-Teoh met with hotel general manager Mikael Svensson on Friday and praised the company's international record of supporting equality. He welcomed the hotel's support for diverse views but said the ACL had caused injury to some in the community. "We all have views on the messages that come from the Australian Christian Lobby. We've been compared to cancer, it has been suggested that appropriate heath care policy… recommend that people don't be gay." "The Australian Christian Lobby is part of our community and we need to hear those messages so we can have a discussion about them." Mr Hinton-Teoh called on Mr Shorten to use his speech to delegates to explain his support for equality and outline why the majority of Christians in Australia were in support of equality. Normal security procedures would be in place during the event. Mr Svensson said the hotel was a meeting place for sharing of opinions and views under the law. "Freedom of speech is something that is critical in this day and age. We wouldn't be here in any form if we didn't have that." "We are all about inclusion, for our employees, our associates and our guests," he said. Mr Svensson said the Hyatt wouldn't consider refusing future bookings by the Australian Christian Lobby but would not accept bookings from radical groups or those involved in illegal activities. Australian Christian Lobby managing director Lyle Shelton slammed plans for the rival event. "The outpouring of hate against us in the last couple of days has just been quite distressing and we just want to see a civil debate," he said. "If people are so convinced of the rightness of their cause they shouldn't have to resort to hate and vitriol when they conduct their public debate."

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