Australia has voted in favor of marriage equality, and the pressure is now on the Government to act upon the vote before taking a Christmas break.
The results (61% in favor and 38.4% against) were broadcast at open-air parties around the country this morning, prompting widespread jubilation among the Australian LGBTI communities and their allies.
The ‘yes’ campaign has been supported by many big corporates – some of who were quick to react on their social media accounts.
This included Qantas, led by its gay CEO, Alan Joyce – who faced personal criticism for publicly supporting the ‘Yes’ campaign.
After the results were announced, Qantas changed its logo online to include a rainbow and tweeted a message saying: ‘Here at Qantas, we are proud to support Australian Marriage Equality’
Here at Qantas, we are proud to support Australian Marriage Equality 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/JtyZ3csicH
— Qantas (@Qantas) November 14, 2017
The Australian social media accounts of cosmetics brand Lush also turned rainbow, with the simple message #YesForEquality and #YesForLove
It posted a statement on Facebook saying: ‘LUSH always have and always will be a strong and proud supporter of the LGBTQI+ community. It has brought us enormous joy to hear a loud and clear YES for marriage equality from the Australian public.
‘While today is about well-deserved celebration, we need to ensure our politicians follow through and truly represent the will of the people!
‘We want to reiterate that all LUSH stores are a safe space. To our friends within the LGBTQI+ community – we hear you, we support you, and we will continue to fight until we see positive social change for all.’
Twitter streamed the results live, and Twitter Open (its LGBTI account), celebrated the result immediately.
The votes are in…and it’s a YES in Australia! 🌈🇦🇺 24,000 Tweets about #MarriageEquality in just the past ten minutes! pic.twitter.com/KrOJrCoAKc
— Twitter Open (@TwitterOpen) November 14, 2017
Bank Australia also changed its social media logo to include a rainbow and posted: ‘YES! Thrilled to see the result of the marriage equality postal survey. Let’s do this Australia!’
Ben & Jerry’s grabbed headlines for its support of same-sex marriage down under – barring customers from ordering two scoops of ice-cream of the same flavor in Australian stores until equal marriage became law.
It tweeted: ‘Love truly wins in Australia today! The support for equal love has shone through. Next step: reject discrimination and make Marriage Equality fair and legal!’
Love truly wins in Australia today! The support for equal love has shone through. Next step: reject discrimination and make Marriage Equality fair and legal! pic.twitter.com/7GTkxZHcfF
— Ben & Jerry's Australia (@BenAndJerrysOz) November 15, 2017
The support of corporates in backing LGBTI rights is helping spread equality to parts of the world where they lack protective legislation. The official Australian Marriage Equality campaign had the support of over 800 corporate partners, besides non-profits, faith groups, small businesses and academic institutions.
Below are more messages from the corporate world.
Airbnb
Thank you to the millions of people across the country who took a stand for acceptance and championed the need for equal marriage rights for all Australians. Today we showed that our collective voices can help create change. #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/OoxOq8OzGX
— Airbnb Australia (@airbnb_au) November 14, 2017
Coca-Cola
The answer is YES #SSM2017 pic.twitter.com/eeqsVrGbZG
— Coca-Cola Australia (@CocaColaAU) November 14, 2017
EY
We thank our EY people for supporting our LGBTI colleagues & community through the marriage equality debate. Today’s result is an important step in the right direction towards equality for all. #MarriageEquality
— EY Australia (@EY_Australia) November 15, 2017
This calls for cake! #SSM2017 #loveislove pic.twitter.com/tFB3ergcw9
— Google Australia NZ (@googledownunder) November 14, 2017
H&M
YES!! 🌈 #LoveisLove pic.twitter.com/1obJDuxfyu
— H&M Australia (@hmaustralia) November 14, 2017
IBM
Levi’s
Microsoft
Australia votes 'Yes'. Creating a more inclusive Australia. #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/zTHEBxgObr
— Microsoft Australia (@MicrosoftAU) November 15, 2017
MTV
IT'S A YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #LOVEISLOVE #SAMESEXMARRIAGE #LOVEWINS #MARRIAGEEQUALITY pic.twitter.com/DZN922PExI
— MTV AUSTRALIA (@MTVAUSTRALIA) November 15, 2017
PayPal
Spotify
YES. Australia, you couldn't have put it better: love is love. Like you, we believe everyone deserves equal rights, plain and simple. pic.twitter.com/FhdOzx3yg4
— Spotify Australia (@SpotifyAU) November 14, 2017
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple
Congratulations Australia! Another important step toward equality for all. 🇦🇺 #MarriageEquality
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) November 15, 2017
Grindr
So much YES for #marriageequality in #Australia 🏳️🌈🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/bWraQSZHAb
— Grindr (@Grindr) November 15, 2017