The streets of Australia were filled with celebration as the nation voted an overwhelming yes to same-sex marriage.
According to CNN, in what has been a 2-month national postal survey, 61% voted in favour of same sex marriage, while 38% voted against.
Rainbow flags, smokes, and confetti were everywhere as crowds awaited the result.
79.5% of the population – more than 12.7 million people – took part in the voting, every state with a “yes” majority.
Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who was on the move, told reporters that its now up to the parliament to get on with the bill. He said:
“They voted ‘yes’ for fairness, they voted ‘yes’ for commitment, they voted ‘yes’ for love. And now it is up to us here in the Parliament of Australia to get on with it.”
Opposition leader Bill Shorten, who said the postal vote should never even have happened, celebrated with the crowd. He said:
“I feel for young people who had their relationships questioned in a way I wouldn’t have thought we would see ever again, but nevertheless what this marriage equality survey shows is that unconditional love always has the last word.”
The specifics of the Same Sex Marriage Bill are expected to be debated as early as this week, with the bill expected to pass before Christmas.
