Unlimited continent

The law on the legalization of same -sex marriages entered into force in Australia, reports Reuters. Already on the night of Tuesday, dozens of couples issued their relationship.

On December 7, the country's parliament adopted the appropriate law, after 62 percent of the Australians agreed in the referendum in the referendum with the legalization of same -sex unions. "What a day for love, dignity and respect! Australia did it!" - said Prime Minister Malcolm Ternbull. A few days later the law was signed by the Governor-General of Australia. Legislative acts in the country come into force after 28 days of approval.

Religious organizations and conservative deputies of the parliament opposed the adoption of the law. They unsuccessfully achieved the inclusion of amendments in the document allowing bankers and florists to refuse the services of same -sex couples of religious considerations.

In some Australian states, criminal prosecution for homosexual relations was canceled only 20 years ago. In 2012, the bill on the legalization of same -sex marriages was already considered by the parliament of Australia and was rejected. In October 2013, the Legislative Assembly of the Australian metropolitan territory legalized same -sex unions. In Canberra, 27 marriages were framed. However, after a month and a half, the Supreme Court of Australia canceled the regional law as contrary to federal legislation and annulled marriages concluded with same -sex pairs. The country's constitution does not have a ban on same -sex marriage unions, the document was said, but the federal marriage law adopted in 1961 defines marriage as an alliance between a man and a woman. Thus, the legalization of same -sex marriages - the prerogative of the country's parliament, decided the Supreme Court.

Australia became the 26th state that recognized same-sex marriages. They are also legalized in most regions of Great Britain and 10 states of Mexico.