Australia celebrated its first same-sex marriage overnight.
West Australian Labor MP Stephen Dawson married his partner of ten years, Dennis Liddelow, in a ceremony in Canberra at midnight; the exact time that the Australian Capital Territory’s Marriage Equality Law came into effect.
Dawson told The ABC:
This is about us, I guess professing our love for each other and reminding each other after 10 years that we still love each other and at least for the moment our relationship will be legally recognised as a marriage.
Canberra expects to see over 40 same-sex couples tie the knot this weekend, as couples rush to walk down the aisle before the High Court reviews the constitutional validity of the legislation on Thursday. This means that there is a five-day window in which same-sex couples can be legitimately married. After this period, the validity of their marriages – and the possibility of future same-sex marriages – could potentially be removed.
Gay rights activist group, DIY Rainbow, tweeted this message of support:
We’re declaring it a tie! Just Married – Dennis Liddelow and Hon. Stephen Dawson MLC #auspol #marriageequality pic.twitter.com/WVhDuJCR5q
— DIY Rainbow (@DIYrainbows) December 6, 2013
A big congratulations to Stephen and Dennis, and all of the couples getting married in Canberra this weekend!
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