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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 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.

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