The country says yes
Almost sixty-two per cent for marriage equality: Australia votes by post, and the result is clear.
On 15 November 2017, Australia's chief statistician stepped in front of the cameras in Canberra and announced a result that a whole country had been waiting for. Almost sixty-two per cent had voted yes. The question was simple: should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?
The road there was anything but simple. The conservative government wanted a binding plebiscite, but the Senate rejected it. Instead of letting parliament decide directly, the government resorted to an unusual means: a voluntary postal survey conducted by the national statistics office. It was not legally binding. Many queer organisations sharply criticised the process. They feared that a months-long public debate about their relationships would above all leave wounds. Counselling services did indeed report a marked rise in calls during the campaign.
Nevertheless, the movement decided to take part and to win. Turnout exceeded all expectations. Around eighty per cent of eligible voters returned their form, even though nobody was obliged to. There was a yes majority in every state and territory, and in one hundred and thirty-three of one hundred and fifty electorates.
When the result was announced, thousands of people embraced in Sydney and Melbourne. For many, it was the first time a majority of their fellow citizens had stood behind them so explicitly.
Politically, the result had immediate consequences. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull promised that parliament would decide before Christmas. The survey itself did not change a single law. But it made it practically impossible to keep ignoring the will of the people. Just under three weeks later, the time had come.