The first same-sex weddings are expected to take place in Australia in early 2018.
Australia’s Parliament has voted to approve same-sex marriage following years of endless debate that was finally settled in a nationwide referendum last month that overwhelmingly backed the move.
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Here are some facts about the development you cannot afford to miss.
An overwhelming majority of Australians endorsed marriage reform in a postal ballot last month. The majority of voters indicated that the law should be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry, with 62 percent responding “yes” and 38 percent responding “no.”
According to reports, nearly eight out of 10 eligible voters participated in the survey. While the votes were not immediately tallied, in the House of Representatives, it was clear that 130 to 140 members of parliament voted “yes,” according to the Herald.
The Senate passed the same legislation last week with 43 votes to 12. Many senators and MPs related personal stories in explaining why they supported the bill. One MP’s speech ended with a marriage proposal – a first for the lower house.
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Those who advocated for marriage equality in the Parliament had argued that the national postal survey in November mandated a change of the marriage definition alone, so changing the law should not be delayed by other considerations.
As mentioned earlier, The first same-sex weddings are expected to take place in Australia in early 2018.
After royal assent and other formalities, the law is likely to take effect in about a month, with the first weddings expected about a month later.
The parliament rejected amendments meant to safeguard freedoms of speech and religion for gay-marriage opponents were all rejected, though those issues may be considered later.
The government appointed a panel to examine how to safeguard religious freedoms once gay marriage is a reality in Australia
Following the approval, It has been jubilations and more jubilations in Australia as gay celebrities including Olympic champion swimmer Ian Thorpe and actress Magda Szubanski hugged politicians and ordinary people in a party atmosphere.
In the capital Canberra, loud sounds of applause was heard from the House gallery on Thursday, December 7, after the chamber after the Amendment Bill of 2017.
Supporters included prominent same-sex marriage advocates, including former Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe and local comedian Magda Szubanski, had gathered on the lawn outside parliament.
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