Same-Sex Marriage Officially Begins In Australia

Ring them bells! Same-sex couples began to legally marry in Australia on Tuesday.

Back in November, over 60% of Australians who responded to a non-binding postal plebiscite said "yes" to marriage equality.

Less than 3 weeks later, the Australian Senate voted "yes," and on December 7 the House of Representatives agreed in a lopsided, nearly unanimous vote.

In Australia, there is a required 30 day waiting period once an application to marry has been made. A few couples were given special permission to wed early due to unusual circumstances.

Australia is now the 26th country to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples.

Australia said YES, Parliament said YES, and now all LGBTI couples can finally say YES (and I do) in Australia #marriageequality pic.twitter.com/F1vjqRtr5I

— Alex Greenwich MP (@AlexGreenwich) January 8, 2018

Loving same-sex couples can now marry in Australia. Congratulations to all the newlyweds making history! #LoveWins #LoveIsLove 🇦🇺🏳️‍🌈♥️ https://t.co/piefWBUp7H

— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) January 9, 2018

Weddings for same-sex couples have begun in Australia! Click through for the pictures (and bring the tissues) 💕🇦🇺😭 https://t.co/pglGoyYixr pic.twitter.com/xbM7QjQ0mb

— GLAAD (@glaad) January 9, 2018

Midnight marriages usher in Australia's same-sex wedding laws. More video from @Reuters: https://t.co/OD7gd5SvJB pic.twitter.com/WHG2EHsnqc

— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) January 9, 2018

First same-sex couples marry in midnight ceremonies across Australia https://t.co/RYHpWCx1Xe pic.twitter.com/Vwqx7oUZQb

— Evening Standard (@standardnews) January 9, 2018

Gay couples marry at midnight as law changes in Australia https://t.co/SWI0yj0xIR

— PinkNews (@PinkNews) January 9, 2018