Australia says yes to same-sex marriage in historic postal survey

[DonViejo]

Source: The Guardian



Paul Karp
@Paul_Karp
Tuesday 14 November 2017 18.04 EST

Marriage equality could be legal by Christmas after 61.6% of participants in the voluntary survey approve a change to the law

Australia has taken a decisive step towards legislating marriage equality by Christmas after 61.6% of voters in an unprecedented national postal survey approved a change to the law to allow couples of the same sex to marry.

The result, announced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday, will lead to consideration of a same-sex marriage bill in parliament with the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, promising marriage equality should be law by Christmas.

With a turnout of 79.5% the result in the voluntary survey is considered a highly credible reflection of Australian opinion and gives marriage equality advocates enormous momentum to achieve the historic social reform.



Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/15/australia-says-yes-to-same-sex-marriage-in-historic-postal-survey

[canetoad]

1. Good

I'm glad this came in with a resounding 'Yes' but the plebescite was an unnecessary complication wraught by The Mad Monk (Abbott) and his coterie of right-wing stooges.

Three or four words could have been altered in the Marriage Act and SSM would be law by now. Despite the hold-up, I hope Turnbull sticks to his guns, over-rides the 'moral minority' and steers this law through.

[Matilda]

3. I hope Turnbull finds his spine and sticks to the mandate from Australians.

75% of eligible voters responded, which is the highest in the world for a non-compulsory vote. Guess we're used to voting, so we get out there and do it!

Of course, the RWNJs are already mobilising to put in so many caveats that it will be a shadow of what is intended, but I think even Turnbull, on those figures, will stick to his guns.

[canetoad]

4. Wouldn't it be ironic

If SSM became law under a conservative government. Stick it right to that smug bastard Bernardi.

[Matilda]

5. And the creepy James Paterson,

trying to bring in his alternative legislation, which would effectively prevent service industries from dealing with same-sex couples if they choose to i.e., no wedding cakes, no hire cars, no venues, etc., if people want to make things difficult for couples.

Sometimes those in the closet are the worst of the homophobes.

[canetoad]

6. Good article about this in the Age

http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/samesex-marriage-debate-religious-freedom-is-and-should-be-limited-20171114-gzli5o.html

Same-sex marriage debate: Religious freedom is, and should be, limited
/snip
The Paterson bill wants to exempt the wedding industry - planners, bakers, accommodation providers, florists - from the federal Sex Discrimination Act and state anti-discrimination laws.

These are laws the rest of us accept in the name of a civilised society; in not discriminating against people for who they are.

Why should the "conscience" of a homophobic florist be able to override those laws?

Let's be clear here. This is not a question about protecting mainstream religious observance from same-sex marriage. That is already protected in the mainstream bill, put forward by Dean Smith and the Liberal moderates. No religious minister under that bill need marry a gay couple against his or her conscience.

[Matilda]

8. Our main worry now is whether Turnbull has the guts to stand up to the RWNJs in Parliament.

In his time as PM, he's never once managed to find his spine when it was needed.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

2. Wonderful news!

[canetoad]

7. From the survey announcement in Melbourne

Every generation of Australian was represented at the gathering, which culminated in a sea of people dancing, hugging and celebrating just after 10am on Wednesday when the Australian Bureau of Statistics announced the result.


George Papagiannopoulos and Luke Meehan from Fitzroy await the Same Sex marriage survey results at the State Library Melbourne. Photo: Chris Hopkins


Isaac and Nicky says the day feels special. Photo: Anthony Colangelo

Yvonne Gardner, from Preston in Melbourne's north, has worked with the gay community for over 50 years, most of which she's spent making drop-in lunches for people who are HIV positive. She estimates she's made 650,000 meals.


Yvonne Gardner at the celebrations in Melbourne. Photo: Tom Cowie

[Matilda]

9. And in Canberra

Senator Penny Wong hears the news ...

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[canetoad]

10. Water running from my eyes, dammit

So happy for her, she's been staunch.

[nycbos]

11. Excellent

Another victory for equality

Mawwige is what bwings us togethew today.

[friendly_iconoclast]

12. Excellent!

[Matilda]

13. According to journalist Matt Young,

Australia/New Zealand responded to the news at a rate of 3,853 tweets per minute!

I guess you could say people are excited.

[Behind the Aegis]

14. G'Day, indeed!

[Matilda]

15. Rainbow in New York

Just saw a Twitter photo of the Empire State Building lit in the rainbow of equality

Nice!

[Maeve]

16. Love is love Glad to hear it! eom