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15 glorious photos that capture the moment Australia chose marriage equality.

After a grueling two-month mail-in vote, the results of Australia's survey on marriage equality were finally announced at 10 a.m. (AEDT) on Nov. 15, 2017. If the Yes campaign won, Australia would take a giant step toward marriage equality. If No won, the status quo would remain.

The stakes couldn't have been any higher.

As nerves built, Aussies gathered in Melbourne to hear the vote tallies.

When the results were announced, giving the Yes campaign its resounding victory, pure joy erupted in the streets.

The moment Australia said YES 🇦🇺🏳️‍🌈❤️ https://t.co/tWsDFHyDZI
— Bill Shorten (@Bill Shorten) 1510708239

The historic, powerful moment was caught on video by opposition leader and LGBTQ rights supporter Bill Shorten. For millions of LGBTQ Australians, lives will be forever changed after the vote.

Here are 15 powerful photos from this remarkable moment in history:

1. With an overwhelming margin of victory, Yes votes won the mail-in survey with 61.6% of the vote.

Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images.

2. There were lots of smiles — and tears.

Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images.

3. And even more (rainbow-colored) confetti.

Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images.

The results fell in line with public polling that has consistently showed a large majority of Australians supporting marriage equality. "This is our proudest moment as gay and lesbian Australians," Chris Lewis, a 60-year-old artist from Sydney, told The New York Times. "Finally I can be proud of my country."

Despite some nervous jitters among some Yes campaign officials in recent days, the end results were nowhere near close.

4. Yes votes won in all six of Australia's individual states and territories.

Even in the more conservative ones.

Photo by Cole Bennetts/Getty Images.

5. "It was not just about us," said Yes supporter Annika Lowry. "It’s for our kids, so that they know equality is important."

Photo by Cole Bennetts/Getty Images.

6. Having your humanity debated via survey doesn't feel all that great, as many Australians could tell you.

Photo by James Alcock/Getty Images.

7. But after exhausting years of debate, knowing that most of your country has your back has got to be a good feeling.

Photo by Cole Bennetts/Getty Images.

Yes supporters have much reason to celebrate, of course. But there's an important catch. The survey was just that — a survey. It won't result in any actual change to the law ... quite yet.

Parliament will use the vote, which was processed through the Australian Bureau of Statistics, as a gauge of public sentiment on the issue preceding a parliamentary vote before the end of the year.

Considering the wide margin of victory and high participation — a whopping 79.5% of eligible voters submitting a Yes or No vote! — Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said a vote on marriage equality should be decided by Christmas.

8. For many, that moment can't come soon enough.

Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images.

9. Australia is among the last westernized countries in the world to make marriage equality the law of the land.

Photo by William West/AFP/Getty Images.

10. For years, the issue has hit partisan roadblocks in parliament despite marriage equality's widespread popularity.

Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images.

11. Finally, though, the spark for true change has been lit.

Photo by Cole Bennetts/Getty Images.

And it definitely won't be extinguished now.

12. "This all happened because of you," the Yes campaign told supporters. "We did this together."

Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images.

13. "You shouldn't have had to put up with this survey but you embraced it," Shorten told the LGBTQ community.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images.

"I feel for young people who have had their relationships questioned in a way in which I wouldn't have thought we would have seen ever again," he said. However, "unconditional love always has the last word."

Ain't that the truth?

14. No one should forget that Australians sent a resounding, joyful message to the rest of the world on Nov. 15.

Photo by William West/AFP/Getty Images.

15. That love is love is love.

Photo by Cole Bennetts/Getty Images.

And it doesn't matter which hemisphere you're in either. 🌈

Prudential

Meet the 18-year-old advocating for teen mental health, one inspiring podcast at a time

All images provided by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

Collins after being selected by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

True

A changemaker is anyone who takes creative action to solve an ongoing problem—be it in one’s own community or throughout the world.

And when it comes to creating positive change, enthusiasm and a fresh perspective can hold just as much power as years of experience. That’s why, every year, Prudential Emerging Visionaries celebrates young people for their innovative solutions to financial and societal challenges in their communities.

This national program awards 25 young leaders (ages 14-18) up to $15,000 to devote to their passion projects. Additionally, winners receive a trip to Prudential’s headquarters in Newark, New Jersey, where they receive coaching, skills development, and networking opportunities with mentors to help take their innovative solutions to the next level.

For 18-year-old Sydnie Collins, one of the 2023 winners, this meant being able to take her podcast, “Perfect Timing,” to the next level.

Since 2020, the Maryland-based teen has provided a safe platform that promotes youth positivity by giving young people the space to celebrate their achievements and combat mental health stigmas. The idea came during the height of Covid-19, when Collins recalled social media “becoming a dark space flooded with news,” which greatly affected her own anxiety and depression.

Knowing that she couldn’t be the only one feeling this way, “Perfect Timing” seemed like a valuable way to give back to her community. Over the course of 109 episodes, Collins has interviewed a wide range of guests—from other young influencers to celebrities, from innovators to nonprofit leaders—all to remind Gen Z that “their dreams are tangible.”

That mission statement has since evolved beyond creating inspiring content and has expanded to hosting events and speaking publicly at summits and workshops. One of Collins’ favorite moments so far has been raising $7,000 to take 200 underserved girls to see “The Little Mermaid” on its opening weekend, to “let them know they are enough” and that there’s an “older sister” in their corner.

Of course, as with most new projects, funding for “Perfect Timing” has come entirely out of Collins’ pocket. Thankfully, the funding she earned from being selected as a Prudential Emerging Visionary is going toward upgraded recording equipment, the support of expert producers, and skill-building classes to help her become a better host and public speaker. She’ll even be able to lease an office space that allows for a live audience.

Plus, after meeting with the 24 other Prudential Emerging Visionaries and her Prudential employee coach, who is helping her develop specific action steps to connect with her target audience, Collins has more confidence in a “grander path” for her work.

“I learned that my network could extend to multiple spaces beyond my realm of podcasting and journalism when industry leaders are willing to share their expertise, time, and financial support,” she told Upworthy. “It only takes one person to change, and two people to expand that change.”

See on Instagram

Prudential Emerging Visionaries is currently seeking applicants for 2024. Winners may receive up to $15,000 in awards and an all-expenses-paid trip to Prudential’s headquarters with a parent or guardian, as well as ongoing coaching and skills development to grow their projects.

If you or someone you know between the ages of 14 -18 not only displays a bold vision for the future but is taking action to bring that vision to life, click here to learn more. Applications are due by Nov. 2, 2023.

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15 glorious photos that capture the moment Australia chose marriage equality.

When the results were announced, giving the Yes campaign its resounding victory, pure joy erupted in the streets.

1. With an overwhelming margin of victory, Yes votes won the mail-in survey with 61.6% of the vote.

2. There were lots of smiles — and tears.

3. And even more (rainbow-colored) confetti.

4. Yes votes won in all six of Australia's individual states and territories.

5. "It was not just about us," said Yes supporter Annika Lowry. "It’s for our kids, so that they know equality is important."

6. Having your humanity debated via survey doesn't feel all that great, as many Australians could tell you.

7. But after exhausting years of debate, knowing that most of your country has your back has got to be a good feeling.

8. For many, that moment can't come soon enough.

9. Australia is among the last westernized countries in the world to make marriage equality the law of the land.

10. For years, the issue has hit partisan roadblocks in parliament despite marriage equality's widespread popularity.

11. Finally, though, the spark for true change has been lit.

12. "This all happened because of you," the Yes campaign told supporters. "We did this together."

13. "You shouldn't have had to put up with this survey but you embraced it," Shorten told the LGBTQ community.

14. No one should forget that Australians sent a resounding, joyful message to the rest of the world on Nov. 15.

15. That love is love is love.

These powerful before-and-after photos reveal just how beautiful aging can be.

Centenarians — people 100 years or older — are a rarity. Their lives are often scrutinized as holding the key to aging.

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5. Marie Fejfarová, at age 101

6. Antonín Kovář, at age 25 and 102

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3. Dark-eyed junco

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No, you're probably not losing your hearing.

“SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING: An Orlando waitress saw a family withholding food from a boy at a table. She noticed bruises on his body and created this sign to secretly ask the child if he needed help. When he signaled "Yes" she called us. The stepfather & mother were arrested.”