It was a heart-stopping scene recreated around the country as Australians closed the lid on a divisive chapter in the country's fight for LGBT equality.Watch the incredible moment Australia said YES to same-sex marriage! (🔊 up 👆🏼 for this one!) #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/MAb1OeOQNh
— news.com.au (@newscomauHQ) November 14, 2017
There were also affecting scenes as Australia's first openly-LGBT female federal parliamentarian, Penny Wong, discovered the result of the poll.The Melbourne reaction #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/4Ye3VOd5NR
— Tom Cowie (@tom_cowie) November 14, 2017
A bill to change the law to allow same-sex marriage has already been submitted to the Australian Senate, where it will now be debated for amendments. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said his government would aim to make marriage equality a reality in Australia by the end of the year. "The Australian people have had their say, and they have voted overwhelmingly yes for marriage equality. They voted overwhelming to fairness, for commitment, for love," Mr Turnbull said after the result of the poll was announced..@SenatorWong’s reaction when she heard Australia voted #Yes. #abc730 #SSM #auspol pic.twitter.com/Od7WEcgCPv
— abc730 (@abc730) November 15, 2017
"Now it's our job as the Australian parliament, all of us here, to get on with it and get this done before Christmas."
Should Mr Turnbull's government honour its promise, Australia will become the 25th country worldwide to at least partially recognise equal marriage.
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