As Australian citizens waited for the results of the nation's vote on same-sex marriage this morning, there was one person who was probably a bit more nervous than everybody.
When it was finally announced that the non-binding vote showed 61,6% of people favoured allowing same-sex couples to wed, James Brechney got down on one knee and proposed to his partner Stuart Henshell.
He did so while being interviewed about the results by Australian news channel Nine AU, dropping to his knee and proposing with a ring, all of which was captured on live TV.
Credit: Nine
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"As terrible as this postal survey has been, the by-product has been this beautiful moment," he said.
"We've been fighting for this for so long... We've been together for two and a half years and it's just been a journey for us.
"We've been together for two-and-a-half years and I think the moment has really blown us away.
"Stuart, I love you with all my heart and I want to tell you something in front of the cameras.
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"Will you marry me?"
Credit: Nine
Although visibly shocked, Stuart managed to nod, before the couple embraced to cheers from the crowd, which contained James' parents. And it turns out the ring had belonged to Stuart's grandmother, who was originally from the UK.
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On Twitter, James announced the news to his followers with a video:
And in a series of tweets he added:
"We'd love to get married early next year but we'll probably say we want to
get married by Christmas to put a little bit more pressure on the Prime
Minister.
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"We'll probably have one of the tackiest weddings in Australian history. It's going to be the campest wedding.
"It's only going to do wonders for the economy.
"Any boss that sacks any gay today for not turning up is a bum! #auspol"
Since the results of the vote were announced, a bill has since been introduced into the Australian Senate. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the government would try and get the historic legislation passed before Christmas.
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There was a huge turn-out for the vote, with 79.5 per cent of the population responding to the question 'Should the marriage law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?'
With the results of the vote in, the PM said: "The people of Australia have spoken and I intend to make their wish the law of the land by Christmas. This is an overwhelming call for marriage equality."
Featured Image Credit: NineTopics:Β World News
