Couples tie same-sex knots
AT THE stroke of midnight yesterday a new era was ushered in as same-sex couples officially became able to wed in Australia.
Couples around the country immediately began their wedding vows, with Australia the 25th country globally to recognise the unions.
In November, following a bitter campaign, almost 62 per cent of voters gave a thumbs up to same-sex marriage in the national postal survey.
On December 7, the House of Representatives resoundingly passed a law to redefine marriage from being the union of a “man and a woman” to simply “two people”.
The first day that weddings could take place was set for January 9, but a few couples got in early after receiving special dispensation just days after the law change.
It’s thought same-sex marriage could inject $2 billion into the economy in the next few years.
Sally Rugg, the marriage equality director of campaign group GetUp, said many couples had waited decades for yesterday.
“From Tuesday onwards, no couple will have to wait to declare their love and solemnise their commitment to each other,” Ms Rugg said.
“From here on in, young LGBTIQ Australians will know that they too can look forward to a future of acceptance, love and marriage, if that’s what they choose.
“Australia is one huge step closer to practising the value of fairness that we preach.”