Australians have voted in favour of legalising same-sex marriage, saying "yes" to the historic social change by a substantial margin of 61.6 per cent to 38.4 per cent.
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After years of political stagnation, the public has now tasked the Turnbull government with changing the law before Christmas to allow same-sex couples to marry.
Wellington resident, Kristen Brown who identifies as bisexual, said she felt proud when she learnt of the result, adding that she respects the opinions of everyone who voted in the survey.
“I was proud of the community, I was proud of the country, it means we’re equal,” she said.
“Everybody deserves to be thanked, even the ‘no’ voters.”
Kristen said the result comes as a relief, however she remains wary knowing the outcome still lays in the government’s hands.
“We’re no longer classed as a minority,” she said. “We don’t have to worry about what’s going to happen should something happen to our partner, where our children are going to go, is my partner going to be able to have the resources to fight in court to take my child if I die – simple things.
“It’s definitely a relief for me – I can write out my will, say yes I want my partner to take care of my child should anything happen to me.”
Kristen now turns her focus to the next step in the process.
“I’m trying not to worry about what’s going to happen next, just be happy with the result that we have now,” she said.
“Take the time out to celebrate the fact that even though it’s a small triumph it’s still something to be proud of. We’ve achieved something great and we’ve made history in Australia. Let the Act passing in parliament be tomorrow’s problem.”
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