(AAP/Lukas Coch/via Reuters)CANBERRA, Australia: An Australian lawmaker giving a speech on same-sex marriage proposed to his gay partner Monday during Parliament’s debate on a bill that is expected to soon legalise marriage equality across the country. Turnbull, a gay marriage supporter, says he wants wedding celebrants, not just those affiliated with churches, to have the right to refuse to officiate at same-sex marriages. “We have made sure that we have removed any element of discrimination in this bill while ensuring that religious freedoms are protected,” he added. A nonbinding postal survey found that 62% of Australian respondents wanted gay marriage to be legal. Most gay marriage opponents accept that the Parliament has an overwhelming mandate to make the change.

Source: Bangkok Post December 04, 2017 05:03 UTC