Finally, after months and months of organising a stupidly expensive non-compulsory and non-binding public vote about sex-sex marriage that ignited some horrible hate speech and proved what everyone knew already – that the public was for it – Australian parliament announced that same-sex couples would be allowed to legally marry.
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After announcing the news on December 7, the general public broke out into new rainbow-flag-waving cheers of joy, Kylie Minogue celebrated via a
great
When Harry Met Sally gif, and politicians in the Australian Parliment (save a few miserable conservatives) began singing a delightful rendition of "We Are Australian".
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Same-sex couples everywhere must be feeling a sense of huge relief, not to mention a bit of emotional exhaustion after the trauma the debates of the last few months have inflicted. People have been popping the question left right and centre, but this couple takes the cake.
Neville Wills and his partner Ian Fenwicke have been together an astonishing 39 years, having met for the first time at a luncheon in 1978. And it's only now, at the ripe old age of 98, that Neville finally has the opportunity to marry the love of his life.
"I think it's marvellous," he told the Sydney Morning Herald. "I'm
glad I've lived this long to see it. We can be legitimate after today."
Ian, 74,
said back in 1978 marriage was something "you just wouldn't imagine". The two said they've lived without much discrimination and hate, but they're in much
higher spirits now that they can finally bind their lifelong partnership with marriage.
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"It has been a long road and it's just astounding that it has finally been achieved,"
he said. "But it's disappointing that we've been so slow compared to most other advanced democratic countries."
Neville worked as a university professor and Ian as a commercial accountant. The two even got a special mention in parliament by
the Liberal Party's Trent Zimmerman, who spoke on the bill and told the chamber of the pair's relationship.
"They have
loved, honoured, comforted and protected each other and will do so as long as they both shall live," he told the chamber.
"Their hopes and aspirations reflect the importance
of marriage in our society for so many people yet denied to some simply because of their sexuality."
But now, finally, they can tie the knot.
Neville and Ian are planning a quiet wedding surrounded by 20 or so loved ones at a friend's apartment in Sydney.
Neville, who describes himself as the "ancient part" of the pair, said he's looking forward to a "jolly nice cocktail hour" after the private ceremony.
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As of December 9, when marriage equality becomes law,
all weddings will include an updated set script for marriage celebrants to read. The old script stated a rigid, "Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of a man and a woman" and has now become:
"Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life."
Hoorah! So as of tomorrow, same-sex couples can apply for their marriage licenses and start walking the aisle in a month. Looks like Australia is set for a summer filled with long-awaited gay marriages, including the union of Neville and Ian. Congratulations, guys.
