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A violent outburst has marred an otherwise peaceful equal marriage rally in Melbourne today.

During a march from the State Library to the Old Treasury Building, Sex Party candidate for Ferntree Gully Martin Leahy was head butted and hit in the face after an altercation with two men – thought to be in their late teens.

Leahy and several witnesses told Star Observer the incident started when he saw two young males – not involved with the rally – hitting the costumes of two other marchers.

“I told them to leave it alone and that’s when they turned on me,” Leahy said.

Leahy, who is straight, said one of the young men used homophobic language, put his face close to his in an intimidating manner and then head butted him, and hit him in the face.

Leahy and other Sex Party marchers then chased after the man, who held up his hands in a boxing motion, but eventually fled the scene.

Leahy sustained injuries to the bridge of his nose and was quite shaken after the attack.

The rally was otherwise peaceful with an attendance of over one thousand.