A couple has married in Australia using a diplomatic ‘loophole’ that allows same-sex marriages to dual British-Australian citizens.
Bill and John have been together since 1982 when ‘homosexual relations’ were illegal in several Australian states.
Much has changed in the 35 years since with a blatant exception of equal marriage in the country, which still remains prohibited.
John, 69, is a dual British-Australian citizen, having emigrated from the UK in the 1970s.
Most Australian states recognise overseas same-sex marriages despite not currently licencing the marriages themselves.
(TORSTEN BLACKWOOD/AFP/Getty Images)
British citizens have the legal right to marry their partner of any gender in countries where same-sex marriage is not law, with some restrictions.
Explainer: What the hell is going on with same-sex marriage in Australia?
This ‘loophole’ has resulted in over 445 same-sex couples getting married in Australia since June 2014.
These marriages can only take place in diplomatic offices and embassies.
Using this ‘loophole’ the couple were married last week at Sydney’s British consulate.
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