Australian advocacy group Getup is responding to criticisms it has been receiving over its strategy to promote marriage equality.
Getup sent a mailout to representatives in a bid to win their support for same-sex marriage.
They filled their envelopes with glitter to ensure maximum impact on arrival.
But the gesture was not a popular one, and not just because of the mess the parcel made in the 99 offices it was sent to.
Australian MP Craig Laundry posted photos showing police cars, fire crews and a Hazmat unit that deals with hazardous materials outside his office in Burwood, Sydney.
Laundry himself has been fielding negative comments on his Facebook post after he called the letter a "stupid stunt".
All photos Via Craig Laundry MP, Federal Member for Reid on Facebook
Others have been returning the packages to Getup in protest.
Update: two more MPs have returned the marriage equality glitter back to the @GetUp office #glittergate pic.twitter.com/6oJDd0xTLi
— Sally Rugg (@sallyrugg) August 19, 2015
But other people on Twitter think the MP's action in calling in emergency services was over the top.
#glittergate Meanwhile in every MP's office (except Craig Laundy): pic.twitter.com/25sRVusBmw
— Elias Jahshan (@Elias_Jahshan) August 18, 2015
Luckily the other 98 MPs and senators who received a letter from GetUp members aren't quite so afraid of glitter. http://t.co/oxb3jqiFmY
— GetUp! (@GetUp) August 18, 2015
Prime Minister Tony Abbot has offered to consider holding a referendum during the term of the next parliament, if his government is returned. That has been described as a delaying tactic.
Last month Ireland's Court of Appeal dismissed two legal challenges to the positive outcome of May's marriage equality referendum.
Legislation formalising the introduction of same-sex marriage is expected to pass through the Dáil and Seanad in the Autumn.
