AUSTRALIA SAYS ‘YES!’

Many argued it was a pointless process: the polls showed that most Australians were in favour of same-sex marriage, so why couldn’t the pollies heed the call of their constituents and push the bill through parliament? In the end, the result of the Turnbull Government’s $100 million postal survey announced on Nov. 15 was like a national hug of acceptance to the LGBTQ community, with nearly 8 million Australians—a 60 per cent majority—voting to end discrimination.

“I’m so happy that our country voted yes,” Senator Penny Wong, who has two children with her partner, public servant Sophie Allouache, told WHO. “This was a vote for equality, for acceptance and for fairness.”

A little more than a week after the bill passed the Senate on Nov. 29, it won the vote in the House of Representatives on Dec. 7. The history-making moment sparked cheers, hugs and a song as politicians joined the public gallery in singing “I Am Australian”.

“What a day for love,” said Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. “What a unifying day.”

While those betrothed must give 30 days’ notice of intent to marry, two female couples in Melbourne and Sydney had the waiting period waived and became the first same-sex couples to exchange vows under Australian law on Dec. 16. For other couples, the soonest they can wed is Jan. 9. “We’ll probably end up getting married on a beach in Byron Bay,” 2013 Big Brother winner Tim Dormer, 33, who is engaged to Ash Toweel, 28, told WHO. “It’s a dream come true just how far my country has come.”