The results of the Australian survey for marriage equality have been tallied, with respondents voting overwhelmingly in support of same-sex marriage.
In total, 79.5% of eligible voters participated, with 61.1% voting ‘yes.’
38.4% voted ‘no,’ while the remainder of the votes were unsure.
Needless to say — a victory for equality. Now it’ll be up to parliament to follow through.
Mellissa Davey of the Guardian Australia reports:
A dance party has erupted in Melbourne
— Melissa Davey (@MelissaLDavey) November 14, 2017
And all across Twitter, people are celebrating:
????? #SSM #yes pic.twitter.com/pqiN3vHn7i
— Sarah McPhee (@_SarahMcPhee) November 14, 2017
It’s a g’day. Way to go Australia. #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/0tdnBHPAW1
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) November 14, 2017
Victory – @SenatorWong hears the news pic.twitter.com/eqDUJ5FRWK
— Bernard Keane (@BernardKeane) November 14, 2017
WE DID IT!!! WE VOTED YES AUSTRALIA. WE MADE IT HAPPEN!!! ?????? #VoteYes #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/LJOUkU2iCm
— Guy ????? (@greysfan) November 14, 2017
BREAKING: Australia has voted YES in favour of same-sex marriage
— Lane Sainty (@lanesainty) November 14, 2017
Australia has voted YES to marriage equality! There are still obstacles to overcome, but what a fantastic day for LGBT Aussies and their allies!
Big love and huge congratulations to you all.#LoveIsLove#MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/vpbCPQLuUC— Greg Hogben (@MyDaughtersArmy) November 14, 2017
Thinking of you all tonight Sending love and strength to those who feel vulnerable. I feel confident Australia will do the right thing. But no matter the outcome,never forget…we are frickin fabulous!! I'm visualizing 73% YES!! Bless us all ???????????????????
— Magda Szubanski (@MagdaSzubanski) November 14, 2017
Result is 61.6% in favour of YES! #MarriageEquality is coming to Australia!!!!!!! ??????
— Stephen Donnan (@Donnan_S) November 14, 2017
mattachinepodcast
Love wins!
Josh447
Niiiiiiice!
DanicZee11
Nice, good for Australians. Love is the most important.
Cj.
Bravo ?? Australia! Well Done Mates and Sheilas, San Francisco Is Proud! ????
Jack Meoff
Now we just need to get it through parliament before Christmas which looks highly likely at this stage. So happy at the outcome :o)
Kangol
Great news! Congratulations, Australia!
1EqualityUSA
Woof! You all worked so hard to achieve this. Right on. Congratulations.
chris33133
This whole thing was a ridiculous charade put on by a Parliament unwilling to legislate marriage equality in the first place. At least, unlike the Brexit vote, this didn’t blow up in everyone’s face.
Creamsicle
But isn’t it still non-binding?
OzJosh
The vote is non-binding. A 61.7% YES vote cannot be ignored. In electoral terms that’s a huge vote. If it were in an actual election it would give the winning party an unheard-of 100 seat majority. And politicians are mostly aware that the “No” vote was mostly concentrated in specific areas: outback Australia (where it’s still the 1950s) and outer suburban areas dominated by immigrant Chinese or muslims – three groups that otherwise have little or nothing in common and therefore can’t easily be weaponised. The vote also demonstrated that the very vocal extreme-right religious conservatives (Tony Abbott, Cory Bernardi, Lyle Shelton, et al) don’t have anywhere near as much power or influence as they have pretended. Their schtick through the No campaign was to claim they were speaking for “the silent majority”. But the real silent majority voted loudly against them.
JessPH
Congratulations, Australians. You definitely made the right decision. However, the indisputable fact remains THAT this poll should have NOT happened in the first place. Equal rights, fundamental rights and critical freedoms should NEVER be subject to a vote or popular opinion. What a waste of taxpayers money.
drmiller
Congratulations to our brothers and sisters in Australia! This is inspiring and tear-jerking news to wake up to!!!
silveroracle
Congratulations Australia.
Good to see that you’re moving forward and lots of love to LGBTQ ???? community.
silveroracle
Sorry folks. The “????” Was supposed to be rainbow flag.
SPEEDOSWIMMER
It is NOT law yet.