Australia’s parliament voted to legalize same-sex marriage Thursday after years of political jockeying and fierce public debate. Cheers and applause broke out as lawmakers voted in favor of the bill following hours of debate and emotional speeches at Parliament House in Canberra.
“This is Australia: Fair, diverse, loving and filled with respect for everyone,” said an effusive Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, as he introduced the bill for a final vote.
“This is a great day, it belongs to every Australian.”
The parliamentarians who voted in favor of same-sex marriage took time to let the jubilant moment sink in, celebrating with hugs, handshakes and proudly sporting rainbow-colored clothing. In a particularly poignant moment, the ministers on the House floor and guests in the gallery began singing “I am, you are, we are Australian.”
Australia’s first same-sex weddings will not take place until at least January, however, due to a longstanding requirement for all Australian couples to provide a full month’s notice of their intention to get married.
Marriage equality campaigners have fought for years for Thursday’s vote. Though the bill was expected to pass into law without significant opposition, the lengthy legislative process was excruciatingly slow for the hundreds of advocates watching from the public gallery.
Source: CNN
