Theron supports gay marriage rally

Charlize Theron has lent her support to an upcoming rally on gay marriage in California.

The Academy Award-winner wrote a letter outlining a need for unified support for the Meet In The Middle For Equality rally to be held in Fresno, California, E! reports.

"We know the people whose lives are on the line - those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender - will be there," Theron wrote. "But we need everyone there. Especially straight people."

The letter was released yesterday by grassroots organisation Courage Campaign. The event is scheduled for the Saturday after the California Supreme Court will rule on lawsuits that challenge the state’s Prop 8 initiative which banned gay marriages.

The Monster star also wrote that the battle for equality needs to be fought outside of gay friendly cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles.

She added: "California's Central Valley population is far more reflective of national attitudes towards LGBT equality - and until we engage the communities of Middle America, we will not achieve full equality in California."

The South African-born actress had previously equated the current regulations on same-sex unions to “a form of apartheid".