Watch the Impactful 'Same Love' Performance They Tried to Stop

Macklemore performed "Same Love" in front of 80,0000 Australians, making the case for love and equality at the rugby league final in Sydney on Sunday.

A petition had gotten more than 7,000 signatures trying to stop Macklemore and out artist Mary Lambert from singing "Same Love," with its LGBT supportive message. Rugby organizers didn't bow to the pressure.

Macklemore ahead of his performance told Nine Network that he was focused not on the petition but on "an over pour of love that is resistance against that hatred."

Australia is taking part in a national referendum on whether same-sex marriage should be legal. The results will be announced on November 1. Macklemore promised to "donate my portion of the proceeds from 'Same Love,' that I get off of that record here in Australia, to voting yes."

Lambert toldThe Advocate this week that her performance isn't "a politicized gay anthem" but "a love song."

"As a lesbian in Western Massachusetts, it's easy to forget that gay marriage is illegal in the majority of the world and that gay relationships are illegal and punishable in 76 countries. ... Performing "Same Love" in Australia is not about being political, it's about being human."