Report By Jahnabi Mitra
7th December 2017 will leave its mark on history as Australia passes the same-sex marriage bill today. After years of conservative resistance to enact change, the house today voted overwhelmingly in support; with only four votes against the bill at the House of Representatives.
It was an emotional moment for the public as well as lawmakers. Spectators in the public gallery stood in unison to sing the national anthem “I am Australian”. Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, a long-time supporter of same-sex marriage remarked- “This belongs to us all, This is Australia; fair, diverse, loving and filled with respect. For every one of us, this is a great day.”
14 years of struggle to legalize same-sex marriage and after 22 unsuccessful attempts, today’s decision was not a victory for gay-rights advocates but also glory for ‘democracy’ living up to its name.
The new law sanctioned equal rights to same-sex couples in areas of government benefits, employment and taxes. It has also changed the longest surviving definition of marriage, from “the union of a man and a woman” to “the union of two people”.
The same-sex marriage bill in Australia is yet to receive the royal assent on 9th December 2017.
With Australia becoming the 25th nation to legalize same-sex marriage and give them equal legal recognition as heterosexual marriages, why is India still debating regarding the amendment of article 377? How far are we from celebrating gay-pride, instead of struggling, rioting and taking part in gay-rights marches?
We can only hope to see that day sooner in our country until then let us celebrate Australia’s step towards a more progressive nation.
