No cold feet at mass TV gay wedding

No cold feet at mass TV gay wedding

More than 40 gay couples exchanged their wedding vows in front of a live TV audience in Melbourne last night for Australia’s first televised mass gay wedding.

LGBTI couples were invited to tie the knot at the non-legal mass wedding on ABC1’s Adam Hills in Gordon St Tonight after a February audience poll found the majority of participants would allow same-sex marriage if they were Prime Minister for a day.

The rest of Australia will get to watch the 41 couples say ‘I do’ when it goes to air on Wednesday, March 28.

Comedians Hannah Gadsby and Dave O’Neil walked the aisle as makeshift flowergirls while comedian and TV host Adam Hills conducted the ceremony.

“We are gathered here today to witness the TV union of half these men and women, with the other half,” Hills told the audience.

“They join a long line of names that have taken part in Australian TV weddings — Scott and Charlene, Brendan and Molly, Harold and Madge, Toady and Dee.”

Hawthorn resident Tim Hunter and his partner Kieran McGregor were one of the couples to take part in the ceremony. Hunter told the Star Observer the event was still a thrill despite it only being a TV wedding.

“It was kind of nerve-wracking … it was kind of strange to think kissing your same-sex partner on national TV still has a thrill of doing something naughty because it is still not as
acceptable or recognisable on the street,” he said.

“As everyone was getting ready and was arriving, there was a powerful sense of excitement and anticipation.

“Just looking at the other couples and the effort that everyone has gone to, putting their outfits together, was just great.

“To be honest, given the way the Government is going at the moment, it’s probably the closest we’re going to get to real weddings.”

News of the mass wedding travelled all the way to the UK where author and TV host Stephen Fry sent his support in a video.

“I’m here to send a great big hug around Australia for your mass gay wedding day,” Fry said.

“I’m absolutely thrilled for the LGBT community of Australia that you’re doing this. I think it’s a fantastic idea, absolutely brilliant idea.

“What’s so wonderful is the spirit of Australians— they just won’t be told, they won’t be told!”

INFO: Watch the episode on Wednesday, March 28 at 8.30pm on Adam Hills in Gordon St Tonight, ABC1.

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