File Photo Australia's first legal same-sex weddings will take place just after midnight, in the Australian Capital Territory, where a legal window has been opened amidst ongoing court action. The High Court has reserved its decision on a constitutional challenge to the ACT’s Marriage Equality Act until 12 December, giving couples at least five days to tie the knot. Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome believes Saturday's weddings will mark a turning point in the national debate. "When Australians see these weddings on the TV news it will be obvious that this reform is ultimately not about politics or the law, but about values we all share like love, commitment and family," he says. "Whatever the High Court decides, marriage equality will come one step closer this weekend." The group's deputy director Ivan Hinton will marry his fiance, Chris Teoh tomorro. He is overwhelmed with stories of businesses offering couples venues for free, friends stepping in to help with wedding arrangements and neighbours offering to do whatever they can. "It's heartwarming to see the Canberra community taking pride in this historic moment and getting behind the couples who intent to marry." The Telstra Tower on Black Mountain will black out at 11.59PM and then turn back on at 12AM lit in rainbow colours to mark the historic moment.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 6th December 2013 - 10:16pm