A Melbourne-based photographer says a couple has cancelled their wedding booking with his business because he openly supports marriage equality – but he’s not giving their money back.

Corey Wright participated in a trend sweeping Facebook, where users of the social media site overlay their profile pictures with rainbow colours to support the historic move by the US Supreme Court to recognise same-sex marriage.

When Mr Wright made the change on his business’s Facebook page, a soon-to-be-married couple took offence, emailed him to cancel their booking and demanded their deposit back.

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Mr Wright said it was against company policy to refund deposits, so he decided to donate this one, worth several hundred dollars, to mental health organisation BeyondBlue.

BeyondBlue supports people with depression and anxiety, which is common among those dealing with the stigma and social isolation of being lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI).

“It was very strange when I opened the email, I was pretty shocked and I didn’t know how to respond,” Mr Wright told The New Daily.

“I had to read it a couple of times. I guess I was ultimately angry that people are so close-minded in this day and age.

“Their opinions oppose my beliefs on the subject, and they decided they didn’t want someone like me photographing their wedding.”

Mr Wright said he was disappointed with the couple’s reaction and was glad not to have to capture their wedding.

He was clear that he respected people’s religious beliefs – and had snapped weddings of all different cultures – but said marriage equality was a separate issue.

“Quite frankly, I’d rather not have clients like them anyway. I’m not the first photographer who has experienced this, and unfortunately I probably won’t be the last,” he said.

“It’s important for me that you know where I stand on marriage equality, and human rights. Love is love, plain and simple. If you don’t feel the same way, that’s your prerogative.”

Mr Wright said he chose BeyondBlue because reactions like this one caused those in the LGBTI community to feel isolated.

“They are more susceptible to anxiety and depression as a result of these sorts of things,” Mr Wright said.

“Why should they be made to feel like crap for just being who they are?

“I just hope the government wakes up and gets off the fence.

“I urge you to help spread the word that it’s just not ok to discriminate. Love is love.”

Followers of the Corey Wright Photographer Facebook page approved of the move.

One person replied to his post and said: “This just makes me even more pleased that we have chosen you to photograph our upcoming wedding. Well said & well done.”

A second person wrote: “Great Photographer. Even better bloke.”

Another said: “Good on you Corey for standing up for what is right for you, no one needs close minded people in their life, good riddance to the ignorant couple who did this to you and well done on donating their deposit to a very worthy cause.”

‘Celebrate pride’

Millions of Facebook users united to show their support of gay marriage by using the ‘Celebrate Pride’ app  that puts a rainbow filter on top of their profile photo.

Facebook co-founder and executive producer Mark Zuckerberg launched the tool shortly after the US Supreme Court ruled the US Constitution provided same-sex couples the right to marry at the weekend.

“Our country was founded on the promise that all people are created equal, and today we took another step towards achieving that promise,” Mr Zuckerberg posted on Facebook.

“I’m so happy for all of my friends and everyone in our community who can finally celebrate their love and be recognised as equal couples under the law.

“We still have much more to do to achieve full equality for everyone in our community, but we are moving in the right direction.”