Australia’s Parliament has voted to legalize gay marriage.
The bill defines marriage as ‘a union between two persons.’ It should become law in about a month.
Churches, religious organizations and existing ministers are not required to perform gay wedding ceremonies.
However, ministers who are licensed after the law passes will have to perform same-sex wedding ceremonies or be in violation of anti-discrimination laws.
Australian lawmakers rejected amendments to the bill protecting freedom of speech and religion.
Recap:
Australia’s Parliament has voted to legalize gay marriage. The bill defines marriage as ‘a union between two persons.’ It should become law in about a month. Churches, religious organizations, and existing ministers are not required to perform gay wedding ceremonies. However, ministers who are licensed after the law passes will have to perform same-sex wedding ceremonies or be in violation of anti-discrimination laws. Australian lawmakers rejected amendments to the bill protecting freedom of speech and religion.
Australia’s prime minister rushed gay marriage into law on Friday by gaining a final signature on a bill hours after it was overwhelming endorsed by Parliament and as the nation started planning weddings that can take place in a month.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull traveled to Government House where Governor-General Peter Cosgrove signed the bill into law on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II, Australia’s constitutional head of state.
Cosgrove’s signature makes gay marriage legal in Australia from Saturday, when same-sex couples who wed overseas will be recognized as married under Australian law. Couples who intend to marry must give a calendar-month notice, making gay weddings legal on Jan. 9, Turnbull said.
Neville Wills, 98, plans to marry his partner of 39 years, Ian Fenwicke, 74, next month.
