Two female couples tied the knot in Australia's first same-sex weddings under new legislation allowing gay marriages. January 9 had been expected to be the first possible date for same-sex weddings due to a four-week waiting period since the landmark law was passed. But the two couples were married in Sydney and Melbourne on Saturday after being granted permission to waive the notice period. Amy and Elise McDonald were given an exemption to marry in Melbourne since their relatives also had flown in from overseas. They were given dispensation as Hawkins, 85, is in the final stages of her battle against ovarian cancer.

Source: ABC News December 17, 2017 03:10 UTC