The Australian Parliament has voted to legalize same-sex marriage, joining dozens of countries that afford their LGBTQ citizens marriage equality.
Prior to passing the bill in the country’s Senate and House, Australia conducted a nationwide survey to gauge Australians’ support of marriage equality. At 61.6 percent, the historic survey, which 80 percent of eligible voters responded to, showed that a majority of Australians support same-sex marriage, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
After the vote, Australian lawmakers took action toward a parliamentary change that would enact marriage equality. Although Australian Religious Right groups criticized the move, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, a supporter of marriage equality, praised the results.
The bill was officially signed into law Dec. 8. Couples who intend to wed in Australia can do so starting this year.
