Australia’s hilarious and touching reactions to marriage equality

Jesse Jones
December 8, 2017

Image: Image: Ann-Marie Calilhanna.

As marriage equality passed for Australia yesterday, LGBTI people and friends took to social media to express their reactions and delight.

‘Marriage equality’ has been the number one trending term on Twitter since yesterday.

Journalist Alice Workman shared a heart-warming photo of Liberal MP Warren Entsch lifting Labor’s Linda Burney in a joyous hug in the moments after marriage equality passed in parliament.

The world has been watching Australia’s marriage equality saga unfold, and some big celebrities have congratulated us on finally getting there.

“Equality just took a giant step forward. I’m cheering for everyone in Australia today,” tweeted icon Ellen Degeneres.

“Finally equal marriage in Australia. To the people who supported us, thank you a million times over and over. To the politicians and homophobes who stood in the way, shame on you,” wrote Savage Garden star Darren Hayes.

“Proud to be an Australian today,” posted singer Troye Sivan. “Now invite me to your gay weddings!”

Speaking of which, plenty of folks immediately offered their services for queer Aussie weddings.

“I’ll officially be a certified florist next July so if you want a queer florist to do your big gay wedding bloody hit me up then aye,” tweeted one person.

“Not sure how much it costs or what it takes but I’ve decided to become a celebrant who exclusively does gay weddings. I didn’t read the bill enough to know if this is illegal. Hit me up though,” wrote another, tongue firmly in cheek.

Many expressed their relief that the mandatory “between a man and a woman” line would be dropped from wedding vows.

“Four years today since I got married in Australia,” wrote one man.

“The only downer on an otherwise glorious day was the law requiring us to say in our vows that marriage was ‘between a man and a woman’—in front of our gay celebrant. Today that ends. Good.”

Australia’s ambassador to France, Brendan Berne, shared some exciting personal news on Twitter.

“Today was a great day for Australia and for me. He said yes!” he posted.

Berne proposed to his partner of 11 years, Thomas, in a touching video that he shared with the tweet.

As Australia woke to its first morning of marriage equality today, plenty of jokes were made about the kinds of terrible consequences we were warned about by the No campaign.

“So Australia got marriage equality yesterday and so today being queer is compulsory, please abide by this. I do not make the rules,” tweeted one person.

“No more Christmas for you, Australia,” joked US columnist Dan Savage, recalling Margaret Court’s bizarre claims earlier this year.

Following marriage equality officially becoming law this morning, same-sex weddings are set to take place in Australia from January 9.

https://twitter.com/workmanalice/status/938667797265006592

Equality just took a giant step forward. I’m cheering for everyone in Australia today. #LoveWins #MarriageEquality

— Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) December 7, 2017

https://twitter.com/darrenhayes/status/938671267657293825

❤️🏳️‍🌈❤️ FINALLY ❤️🏳️‍🌈❤️ Proud to be an Australian today. Now invite me to your gay weddings!!!!!! https://t.co/9waFXuEn5S

— 👼🏼 (@troyesivan) December 7, 2017

https://twitter.com/samantor/status/938707137789804544

not sure how much it costs or what it takes but i've decided to become a celebrant who exclusively does gay weddings. i didn't read the bill enough to tell if this is illegal. hit me up though

— thomas violence (@thomas_violence) December 7, 2017

Four years today since I got married in Australia. The only downer on an otherwise glorious day was the law requiring us to say in our vows that marriage was "between a man and a woman" – in front of our gay celebrant. Today that ends. Good. #marriageequality

— Richard Chataway (@rich_chataway) December 7, 2017

Today was a great day for Australia and for me. HE SAID YES! #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/liaXiw0FYh

— Gillian Bird (@AusAmbFR) December 7, 2017

So Australia got marriage equality yesterday and so today being queer is compulsory, please abide by this I do not make the rules

— Bec Shaw (@Brocklesnitch) December 7, 2017