Australia legalizes same-sex marriage

After years of political debates and a two-month national postal survey, Australia has become the 25th country to legalise same sex marriage. With 61% of the country voting to allow same-sex marriage the announcement was met with celebration of rainbow coloured smoke and confetti in the streets and in parliament was met with cheers of joy.

With 12.7 million people participating in the survey which is a response rate of 80%, 7.8 million people voted yes.

However, we wont be seeing any same sex marriages until January the 9th due to a one month notice of intended marriage but that has made no impact of the amount of proposals already happening. One including Liberal MP Tim Wilson who surprised fellow politicians by proposing to his long-term boyfriend Ryan Bolger, who said yes. He was even the first MP believed to propose on the floor of the house of legislation.

Ultimately this was a historic moment for Australia but also a historic moment for the LGBTQI community who are one step closer to receiving equality.

To end with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's final words on the bill "This is Australia: fair, diverse, loving and filled with respect for everyone".