Now the "union of two people" : Australia witnesses its first same sex marriage
Swapna Mohanty
| Updated on: 16 December 2017, 20:08 IST
After 22 unsuccessful attempts initiated in 2004, Australia’s Parliament overwhelmingly voted and legalized same-sex marriage after the legislation got passed on December 4, 2017.
Changing the definition of marriage from “the union of a man and a woman” to “the union of two people.” Calling it a triumph of democracy, one of the advocate of gay rights stated the landmark decision was long overdue.
A week after the law was passed, today (December 16, 2017) was witnessed as another landmark day in the Australian history as the very first gay couple finally exchanged vows.
Lauren Price, 31, and Amy Laker, 29, solemnized vows in Sydney and became the first couple who tied the nuptial knot after the law was passed.
Though the law granted marriage allowance to the couple only from the first week of New Year, this couple was one among the exceptions from the 30-day waiting period to marry. Since Price's family had already traveled to Sydney, the couple proceeded with their celebration. In the presence of about 65 friends and family members, the couple exchanged vows in Camden, Sydney.
As per the reports, another couple who would be wedded on Monday is Melbourne-based Cas Willow, 53, and Heather Richards, 56. This couple is one of its kind who will get married in the hospital since Cas Willow is suffering from breast cancer, which has now spread to her brain.
