Inspiring photos show pure joy after Australia votes for same-sex marriage

After months, years, decades of stress and fighting -- it came down to this.
 By 
Johnny Lieu
 on 
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Credit: Don Arnold/Getty Images

Love is truly in the air.

Australia's overwhelming yes vote in its marriage equality postal survey was announced on Wednesday morning, and nervous supporters gathered around the country to hear the result.

In Melbourne, they gathered in front of the State Library of Victoria. In Sydney, upbeat music blared through Prince Alfred Park at a party full of believers in marriage equality, standing together -- prepared for any result, but hoping for a yes. In Canberra, where the announcement took place, politicians also anxiously waited for the result.

At 10 a.m. AEDT, the result of the postal survey were handed down, with 61.6 per cent of Australians voting yes. After months, years, decades of stress and fighting -- Australia finally said yes to equality. The survey was requested by conservative politicians who opposed marriage equality as a precursor for parliament to vote on marriage equality. Parliament doesn't need the survey to host the vote, but did so anyway, critics say, to stall.

There was an outpouring of joy, and of course, plenty of tears.

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Senator Penny Wong reacts to the live broadcast of the news. Credit: DEAN LEWINS/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
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A reveler wipes away a tear after the result is announced. Credit: Don Arnold/Getty Images
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The crowd erupts in front of the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne. Credit: scott barbour/Getty Images
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Rebecca Davies and her partner Paula Van Bruggen celebrate in the crowd at the State Library of Victoria. Credit: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
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Christine Forster, the sister of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, celebrates in Sydney. Credit: DAVID MOIR/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
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People in the crowd celebrate in front of the State Library of Victoria. Credit: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
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A couple embrace as supporters celebrate in Sydney. Credit: WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images
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Celebrations in Sydney. Credit: Getty Images/cole bennetts
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Credit: WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images
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Qantas CEO Alan Joyce and Magda Szubanski share a moment while hearing the announcement in Sydney. Credit: Getty Images
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Tears flow in Sydney. Credit: DAVID MOIR/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
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Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten is embraced by members of the crowd as they celebrate in Melbourne. Credit: Getty Images/scott barbour
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Credit: Cole Bennetts/Getty Images
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Credit: WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images

Topics Activism

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Johnny Lieu

Mashable Australia's Web Culture Reporter.Reach out to me on Twitter at @Johnny_Lieu or via email at jlieu [at] mashable.com

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