Singer Brian Kennedy has called for a change in the law in Northern Ireland to allow civil marriage for same-sex couples in the region.

The Belfast-born performer, currently on tour in Australia, made the call in advance of a major march and rally for marriage equality in Belfast on Saturday: 

“Hello everyone from my tour in Australia. 

“I can't tell you how proud I feel when complete strangers at these gigs on the other side of the world say how proud they are that the Republic of Ireland voted a resounding YES for Marriage Equality. Now it's the turn of the good people of Northern Ireland. 

“Every gay person deserves to feel equal. I don't want to be 'tolerated' by anybody and the only place I should seek permission to be married is from the heart of my beloved.

“Please come to the rally and show your support for what is a basic human right. I will be with you in spirit on the day and you will certainly see me in person very soon to physically lend my support."

March organisers Amnesty International, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Rainbow Project, are predicting that thousands of people will join the march through central Belfast, before a rally at the front of Belfast City Hall. Derry-born singer Bronagh Gallagher has already confirmed that she will be performing on stage at the rally, supported by Quire, Belfast's LGBT choir. 

Organisers are asking marchers to assemble outside the Belfast campus of Ulster University from 2:30pm on Saturday.

Brian Kennedy recorded a song to back the marriage equality campaign in Ireland, Please Vote Yes.