Gay marriage backers claim small Tas win GAY marriage activists say Tasmania's upper house elections have boosted their cause, despite candidates opposed to the reform winning the contests for all three seats. Gay marriage legislation looks no closer to passing the Legislative Council after Saturday's poll, with candidates against the bill winning the seats of Nelson, Montgomery and Pembroke. Australians for Marriage Equality (AME) and GetUp! campaigned for pro-gay marriage candidates, particularly in the seat of Nelson. However Independent Jim Wilkinson was re-elected to the seat, as was Liberal member for Pembroke Vanessa Goodwin. Ms Goodwin will be joined in the Legislative Council by fellow Liberal Leonie Hiscutt, who was successful in Montgomery. AME spokesman Rodney Croome said pro-gay marriage candidates had won a total of 51 per cent of the vote across the three seats, and a 14 per cent swing against Mr Wilkinson. "We are encouraged by the election result and will now step up our campaign to have the bill re-introduced and passed," Mr Croome said on Monday. Our focus will be on showing upper house members the widespread support for marriage equality in their electorates. The upper house last year voted 8-6 against the gay marriage bill.