After a campaign last several years, the yes vote in November 2017 leading to marriage equality, Alex Greenwich and Shirleene Robinson authored a book to share the experience of activists.

Mr Greenwich said they often looked to Gilmore as a weather vane for widespread sentiment about marriage equality.

“We were always grateful to be able to come down to the South Coast during the campaign, not because we needed to check on what Dawn (Hawkins) was doing, but because we wanted to be inspired by what the campaign was doing,” Mr Greenwich said.

“What was going on down here was really powerful, seeing stories in your local paper was more empowering and impactful than seeing stories in the Sydney Morning Herald or The Australian because the positive message of a campaign that was about love, fairness and equality was spreading.

“It was great to mark Mardi Gras with many of you on what was the Marriage Equality Gilmore float. It was the first, and it also should probably be the last electorate-wide entry into Mardi Gras for marriage equality. That was awesome.”

Gilmore marriage equality activist Dawn Hawkins, featured in the book, described her experience on Saturday.

“I was getting blocked left right and centre, but on the announcement of the postal vote, our community went, ‘Right, what do you want and where do you want it?’” she said.

“A lot of people only see or hear the really negative or harsh stuff.

“Everyone really came to the party, it was a liberating time, we are absolutely accepted in this community, we are very-much loved.”

The book is available for purchase online.