Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Questioning and Asexual (LGBTIQA) advocate Nicholas Steepe called on council to take a stand against discrimination, exclusion and prejudice and introduce a motion supporting marriage equality.

Mr Steepe and mother Libby McMahon spoke on the issue during the June Finance and Policy Committee meeting, supported by an overflowing public gallery.

Cr Towney said he needed to be upfront about his beliefs.

"There is a saying that says if you need to talk about things get the dead cats from under the table and throw them up in the air," he said.

"I want to be honest with you and say that I have issues with the marriage stuff. It's my right as an individual person to tell you that rather than go and talk behind your back.

"If a vote did come to council I would not be supporting it.

"I say it up front that that's what I think and I want to be honest about it."

There were many people in society who were bereaved or left out, Cr Towney said.

"You all know that I am an Aboriginal Australian. Almost every day I face discrimination.

"Our peoples are left out in the cold and when I hear about self-harm, suicide and not being valued well I could take you to people every day.

"If any of you people (the LGBTIQA community) want to come and talk to me I'm happy to talk things with you but I can't support marriage equality."