Australian Parliament approves same-sex marriage after long national debate
WATCH Australian lawmaker proposes during same-sex marriage debate
Marriage equality is now a reality in Australia. Its Parliament voted on Thursday to allow same-sex marriage in the Commonwealth country.
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The House of Representatives passed a bill to change the definition of marriage from solely between a man and a woman to "a union of two people."
"The House of Representatives has passed the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017," tweeted the Australian House of Representatives. "The bill now goes to the Governor-General for Royal Assent."
The House of Representatives has passed the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017. The bill now goes to the Governor-General for Royal Assent.
— Australian House of Representatives (@AboutTheHouse) December 7, 2017
The Equality Campaign, which had been advocating the change, tweeted, "It's a YES! Simply and fairly, #MarriageEquality is now law! Today our country can be truly proud. We did it together!"
It's a YES! Simply and fairly, #MarriageEquality is now law! Today our country can be truly proud. We did it together! ?? pic.twitter.com/lGZgUgSmyL
— AU Marriage Equality (@AMEquality) December 7, 2017
The House was widely expected to approve the historic bill after the Senate approved the same legislation last week, 43 votes to 12.
A majority of Australian voters endorsed marriage equality in a postal ballot last month asking, "Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?" Of those who responded, 62 percent said "yes," and 38 percent said "no."
The Associated PressNearly 8 in 10 eligible voters participated in the survey, according to the government.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who had supported legalization, tweeted support for the measure after its passage.
It's time for more marriages.
More commitment.
More love.
More respect.
Marriage equality has passed!— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) December 7, 2017
Gay rights advocates celebrated outside Australia's Parliament House on Thursday before the final result.
"It's an historic day for Australia today, and I think the celebrations around the country when we finally … achieve marriage equality are going to be immense," Janet Rice, a Greens party senator, told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The law will take effect in about a month, according to the AP.
WATCH: Cheers erupt from the floor of Australian Parliament as same-sex marriage is made legal across the country. https://t.co/nDsl40hzhi pic.twitter.com/tgfaxlIxr6
— ABC News (@ABC) December 7, 2017
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