Australia legalizes same-sex marriage

Australia's Parliament voted to legalize same-sex marriage Thursday after years of political jockeying and fierce public debate. Cheers and applause broke out as lawmakers voted in favor of the bill following hours of debate and emotional speeches at Parliament House in Canberra. The bill passed its third reading with only four members of Parliament in opposition.
The parliamentarians who voted in favor of same-sex marriage took time to let the jubilant moment sink in, celebrating with hugs and handshakes and proudly sporting rainbow-colored clothing. The move follows a two-month national postal survey that showed 61% of more than 12 million respondents were in favor of marriage equality.
The country is now the 24th in the world to allow same-sex couples to marry, according to Pew Research.
Australia's first same-sex weddings will not take place until at least January, however, because of a longstanding requirement for all Australian couples to provide a full month's notice of their intention to get married.