Australia has voted to change the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples in results announced Nov. 15, with 61.6 percent of the vote.
While the survey itself is not legally binding, Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has vowed the vote’s result would cause a bill to legalize marriage equality to “sail through” parliament by the holidays.
However, conservative politicians are pushing hard for extensive religious protections in any bill legalizing marriage equality.
“With the rising tide of anti-LGBTQ laws and crackdowns around the world, citizens of Australia stood up for fairness and equality by supporting the right for everyone to marry the person they love,” said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis in a statement. “Now it is on the Australian government to heed the will of its people and pass fully equal marriage without exemptions.”