yahoonewsphotos:

Australians
celebrate same-sex marriage vote

Celebrations swept
across Australia Wednesday as voters emphatically endorsed same-sex marriage
after more than a decade of divisive debate, and political leaders immediately
began moves to enshrine the historic shift in law by Christmas.

Thousands of
marriage equality supporters took to parks and squares across the vast country,
hugging, dancing and singing under clouds of glitter when the results of the
two-month-long postal survey were announced.

Revelers wrapped in
rainbow colors swarmed the entertainment districts of Sydney, Melbourne and
other cities, closing streets as the party continued late into the evening.

Almost 62 percent
of the 12.7 million people who participated voted “yes” to the
question: “Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to
marry?”

Just 38.4 percent
voted “no”, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which
carried out the poll.

Nearly 80 percent
of eligible voters took part in the poll, with the “yes” vote winning
a majority in all of Australia’s states and territories. (AFP

Photos from top: David Gray/Reuters (2), James Alcock/Getty Images,William West/AFP/Getty Images, James Alcock/Getty Images

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