As the campaign for marriage equality drags on during Australia’s postal survey on the issue, one group came up with a fun way to remind people to vote ‘yes’.
Tim Little came up with the idea to host a flash mob in one of the city’s busiest locations, Federation Square.
About 40 dancers and 10 support crew performed complex choreography to a medley of hit pop songs
‘The idea initially came to me while reading articles about rallies for marriage equality. And I was surprised no one had done a flash mob in support,’ Little told Gay Star News.
https://twitter.com/VoteYasssQueen/status/921913882255302656
Little mined his various contacts and setup a registration form for people who were interested in getting involved.
After a week’s long recruitment process, the group started rehearsals at a practice studio for three weeks. A filmmaker made training videos for the team to practice at home between rehearsals.
‘I was also gifted with a drag queen called Leasa Mann, a performance coach and a 14 year old girl who ended up singing (Macklemore’s) Same Love for us,’ Little said.
Bumped in the one and only @TheLeasaMann in @FedSquare. What's going on??#YESFlashMob pic.twitter.com/hub1YDhUmB
— Megan Williams (@MegaR_Tron) October 22, 2017
‘She was a volunteer’s daughter and she put her hand up after a choir bailed and two of her friends who were too nervous to perform.’
Flash mob for equality
The flash mob was such a hit, they performed an encore later that day ahead of a marriage equality rally.
Little decided a flash mob could be a nice way to promote the ‘yes’ campaign.
‘Flash mobs are fun and I wanted to get the message across in a non confronting way,’ he said.
‘Also, I wanted to show solidarity with all our LGBTI brothers and sisters and give them hope and give them some joy after this marriage equality debate, as it has been hard on a lot of people.’
Brilliant job! #YESflashmob at Fed Square ahead of #YESFest pic.twitter.com/MkPdSV7iRW
— Katie Purvis (@katiemelb) October 22, 2017
Pride and nerves
Preparing for the flash mob was a welcome distraction for the volunteers for whom the postal survey had taken a toll.
‘For many volunteers I have spoken to this performance was much more than just a dance,’ Little said.
‘It was a feeling of belonging and being part of something that made them proud.
‘Many of which had told me of hard times, some relating to marriage equality but being part of this project really livened their spirit and gave them a sense of purpose and of belonging.’
Watch the video: