Entertainer Lynda Topp and partner Donna Luxton will be in Parliament tonight to show support for marriage equality.
Topp, one half of country music duo the Topp Twins, and Ms Luxton said in a written statement to media that the term civil union is demeaning, and they were adamant "marriage'' was the correct word to describe their union.
"That is how Donna and I see it,'' said Ms Topp.
They were married at their home in Staverley, in the foothills of the Southern Alps in March.
She said the term "civil union'' came with the idea that you would never be good enough. "That your love is somehow less than, or not as worthy.