Marriage equality is finally law in Australia, which means same-sex couples can now marry and have their unions recognized by the state. The Australian Parliament landslide vote on Thursday also means that thousands of LGBTQ couples who married overseas will have their marriages officially recognized as well. The Australian ambassador to France, Brendan Berne, was so moved by the historical vote that he wasted no time in proposing to his partner of 11 years, Thomas Marti, in Paris.
“HE SAID YES!”
Berne posted the proposal video to his Twitter account less than four hours after the same-sex marriage bill passed in Parliament.
"Now, as Australia has just approved marriage equality, it is my turn now. My turn to ratify my own relationship with my partner of 11 years Thomas. He is not aware of what I would like to do now," Berne said in French.
Berne and Marti are not the only ones celebrating.
This is the moment same-sex marriage is made official in Australia
People love the proposal video.
An appropriate time for the happy Snoopy dance.
The people of France, who have had marriage equality since 2013, showed their love and support.
Not a dry eye in the embassy.
According to AFP, via The Guardian, Marti is a Swiss-Australian who works at Australia's French embassy, and they met on a tram in Amsterdam.
Australia becomes the 25th country to recognize same-sex marriage.
The country previously changed their law in 2004 to say that marriage is only between a man and a woman. Since then, many Australians have been fighting for their right to marry whomever they love. Hard to believe, but this video was made six years ago:
Finally, on Thursday, Australia's House of Representatives passed the marriage equality bill after an unprecedented national postal survey gave unstoppable momentum to legislate the historic social reform. The vote was near unanimous, with only four members of Parliament voting against the bill.
“We’ve voted today for equality, for love, it’s time for more marriages, more commitment, more love, more respect,” said prime minister Malcolm Turnbull. “This is Australia: fair, diverse, loving and filled with respect.”
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h/t: Twitter, The Guardian, Youtube,
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