UPDATE: 7 DECEMBER
After months of debate and decades of campaigning, same-sex marriage is now legal in Australia.
Parliament passed the Same Sex Marriage Act with a vote of 154 in favour today. Only four voted no.
The first major hurdle to a change in policy was overcome on November 15 when more than 60 per cent of Australians voted in favour of same-sex marriage in a voluntary ballot. More than 12 million people participated.
Massive celebrations were held around the country following the announcement of the survey results. Broadsheet photographers were there to capture the moment.
Broadsheet is donating 100 per cent of the profits from the sale of It’s A Yes – the lead image to this story – to MindOUT, the National LGBTI Health Alliance project that develops and delivers mental-health and suicide-prevention initiatives. Pick up your print here.
Source: Broadsheet
17 NOVEMBER
Australians have overwhelmingly voted in favour of legalising same-sex marriage in a historic poll.
The non-binding postal vote showed 61.6% of people favour allowing same-sex couples to wed, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said.
Jubilant supporters have been celebrating in public spaces, waving rainbow flags and singing and dancing.
The issue only went to a voluntary postal vote after a long and bitter debate about changing the law.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said his government would now aim to pass legislation in parliament by Christmas.