The state of Queensland has voted to legalise same-sex unions,
marking the latest development of LGBT rights in Australia.
The civil partnerships bill was passed in a 47-40 ballot, last
night.
The move increases pressure on the ruling Labor party to make the
change a national one - particularly as five of Australia's eight
states now recognise gay and lesbian unions.
It comes just days after a socio-political advert campaigning for
marriage equality become a huge online hit. The video, by Get
Up! Action for Australia, is shot through the eyes of a person who
meets, befriends and then falls in love with a man.
The person is later revealed to be another man with the
statement: "It's Time. End marriage discrimination."
The advert was screened in Australia over the weekend in a bid
to get the Australian Labor Party to endorse marriage equality at
their national, annual conference.
The video has already been viewed nearly 2 million times in less
than one week.
Like Britain, civil partnerships in Australia provides many of
the same benefits as heterosexual marriage, but is still not
considered equal.
The country's Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, actively opposes
gay marriage even though public support for it continues to
increase.
