Carrying rainbow flags and banners, the throng - both homosexual and straight people supporting the cause - defied the miserable weather to march proudly down Baylis Street for something they strongly believe.

"It's the 21st century - why are we still fighting for rights to be equal," asked rally organiser Kristy Davies, 28.

For the most part the group was left to rally in peace, although there were a handful of people who took offence to chants such as: "Damn straight, black white, marriage is a civil right" and "What do we want? A change of law. When do we want it? Now!"

One man sitting outside a Baylis Street hotel gesticulated rudely at the group and said: "I just can't stand gays. They turn me off."

Adam Moar, 30, said he had decided to march because he wants the option of marriage in the future.

"The laws are antiquated," he said. "They're completely out of date and it's time to revise them."

The Wagga rally was one of the many rallies - both pro and anti-gay marriage - to be held around Australia in the last fortnight. Some of them have been used as a platform to make inflammatory statements and Ms Davies took particular issue with conservative American commentator Rebecca Hagelin's remark that same-sex marriage would allow unions between paedophiles and children.

"I'm disgusted that a comparison can be made between a same-sex relationship and an abuse," Ms Davies said.