Over a thousand people in the Haitian capital have turned up to protest against same-sex marriage.

The rare demonstration took place on Friday afternoon in the capital of Port-au-Prince, and urged lawmakers not to pass equal marriage legislation, reports the Associated Press.

The demonstration was organised by several religious groups, and came just two days after watchdog groups condemned what they said was an increase in threats targeting homosexuals in Haiti.

A group named the Haitian Coalition of Religious and Moral Organizations said a month ago that it disagreed with recently passed equal marriage legislation in other countries.

The gay and lesbian community in Haiti is small, and has for a long time remained underground because of strong social opposition, and a fear of physical violence and loss of employment.