People march for LGBTQ pride and equality around the world

Equality marches have been held around the world to call for an end to discrimination against minority groups.

A marcher hold a sign that reads "Love is Love is Love" on the National Mall with the Washington Monument in the background during the Equality March. Source: AP

Thousands of people have been marching around the world to celebrate LGBTQ pride and call for equality.

The Equality Marches for Unity and Pride, scheduled over the weekend across the US, Canada, Australia, the UK and Spain, mark 'Gay Pride Month' in June.

David Bruinooge, founder of the Equality March for Unity and Pride, said in a press release the marches would "give voice to our concerns, and support, uplift, and bring attention to those in our communities who are targeted due to immigration status, ethnicity, religion, skin color, gender, and disability.

"It’s our time to march and fight to affirm and protect our rights, our safety, and our full humanity."

The rallies mark the one year anniversary of a shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, which killed 49 people and injured 58 others.

In Australia, the road to acceptance hasn't been easy for LGBTQ people, with male acts of homesexuality a crime until the end of the 19th Century in most states.

The next challenge for the community is the right to get married.