Same Sex Marriage Legalised in ACT...but for how long?

The wedding of Emily Jehne and Ellie Filler took place in a quiet backyard in Canberra, but the message it sent couldn't be louder.

It seems like a dream come true for same-sex couples in the Australian Capital Territory. Finally they can make their love official through marriage, just the same as any other couple. However, same-sex couples have only five days of guaranteed unity; by Thursday, the marriages might no longer be recognised by the law. It's up to Federal Parliament to assess whether he ACT's same-sex marriage law is valid.
Still, plenty of people are staying hopeful. ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher is sure that it's only a matter of time.

"In terms of where we go from here, the world has changed, the landscape has changed. It won't be when or if same-sex couples can get married, it's they were married and this momentum will continue to build and I have no doubt it's changed the debate."

Rodney Croome from Australian Marriage Equality believes that a conscience vote is the best chance to pass this law. He appealed to Prime Minister Tony Abbott to let his MPs have their say on the matter.

"The Coalition doesn't allow a conscience vote on this. I believe that a majority of Coalition members support a conscience vote and when that conscience vote is granted that will remove the final obstacle and this reform will have a fighting chance."

Even politicians are tying the knot. Here is Western Australian Politician Stephen Dawson (right) with his husband, Dennis Liddelow. They were one of the first same-sex couples to wed in front of Parliament House in Canberra last week. 

Ivan Hinton from Australian Marriage Equality said his recent marriage to husband Chris Teoh was "an amazing experience".

"It's something that we've worked hard for for a very, very long time. It's something that means an awful amount to us and to our family and to members of the community that we don't even know."

To Ivan, the most important message that legalised same-sex marriage will send is that "it's OK to be gay and it's OK to hope that one day you're going to find the most amazing, beautiful, sensitive, complementary friend for life, and that's what I've found with Chris."

No one should have the right to stop people from loving and committing to each other. Send a message to the federal Coalition members here: http://www.australianmarriageequality.com/wp/

Find out more:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-07/first-australian-same-sex-marriages-take-place-in-act/5142176

http://www.australianmarriageequality.com/wp/

http://www.buzzfeed.com/simoncrerar/same-sex-marriage-legalized-in-australia